Results
Study finds lack of complete TB drug-susceptibility data can lead to resistance amplificatio
Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes
A recent study conducted by a start-up from IIT Mumbai and Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College has revealed alarming findings about the prevalence of pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) in presumptive multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis cases in India.
The study, which involved whole genome sequencing of 600 clinical samples from TB patients in the country, found that nearly 51% of cases had pre-XDR-TB and 15.5% had MDR-TB. Surprisingly, these drug-resistant strains were found in equal proportions among men and women.
Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), which is resistant to isoniazid, rifampicin, fluoroquinolones, and at least one injectable second-line drug, poses a major threat to public health. With over 29.5 lakh active TB cases reported in India in 2020, the emergence of drug-resistant strains further complicates the fight against this infectious disease.
The study also found resistance not only to rifampicin and isoniazid, but also to fluoroquinolones, highlighting the urgent need to revisit the conventional approach to TB management. Anirvan Chatterjee, CEO and co-founder at Haystack Analytics, stressed the importance of these findings and the need for a new strategy to combat drug-resistant TB.
TB remains the second leading infectious disease killer globally, making it imperative for healthcare professionals and policymakers to address the growing threat of drug-resistant strains. The study’s results underscore the critical need for innovative solutions to tackle TB dynamics in India and around the world.
