Absence of Full Drug-Susceptibility Data for TB Patients Can Amplify Resistance: Study

Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

A recent study conducted by HaystackAnalytics, a genomics diagnostic solutions start-up, in collaboration with Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College in Pune, has revealed concerning findings regarding drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in India. The study, which involved whole genome sequencing of 600 clinical samples from TB patients, found that pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) was present in 50.83% of presumptive multi-drug resistant tuberculosis cases, while multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) was found in 15.5%.

According to the study, extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) – a rare type of MDR-TB resistant to multiple drugs – poses a significant challenge for treatment due to its complex nature. This study sheds light on the dynamics of TB and the profiles of drug resistance in the country.

In 2020, India reported over 29.5 lakh active TB cases, with 1.35 lakh cases classified as multi-drug resistant TB cases. This highlights the pressing issue of drug-resistant strains and the challenges they pose to treatment and control measures.

The study also revealed resistance not only to rifampicin and isoniazid, commonly used drugs for TB treatment, but also to fluoroquinolones. This underscores the need for a more personalized approach to TB management, as emphasized by Anirvan Chatterjee, CEO and co-founder of HaystackAnalytics.

Chatterjee stressed the importance of reevaluating the current approach to TB management in light of these findings. With such high rates of drug resistance, it is crucial to develop strategies that can effectively address the challenge posed by drug-resistant TB strains in the country.