New strategy outlined for multidrug-resistant TB

A group of experts have recommended new research to "scale up" treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Writing in the latest edition of PLoS Medicine, Frank Cobelens and his colleagues from the KNVC Tuberculosis Foundation has laid out a "prioritised research agenda".

The scientists have said that improved testing needs to be implemented, together with new second-line treatments for MDR-TB.

Also recommended is further analysis of the geographical occurrences of MDR-TB and the introduction of clinical trials to establish if people given TB drugs become infected after contact with MDR-TB patients.

The team of experts writes: "The time has come to move programmatic management of drug-resistant TB in resource-limited settings beyond the limited, pilot project phase."

Recently, the World Health Organisation launched two new initiatives to combat MDR-TB.

It is hoped that new rapid testing and an increased amount of drugs available will reduce the deaths in 54 developing countries.