Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis accounted for approximately half a million new cases each year. Treatment for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is a dynamic area. DR-TB treatment, although decreasing in duration, continues to be long, often with terrible side effects, and only half of those treated are cured.

You are here:

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Published on

Updated:

Our work in drug-resistant TB

The Union advocates for increased research and development, and conducts clinical trials to reduce treatment time and improve outcomes for patients in countries with the highest burdens of disease.

The Union also provides practical and experience-based support to countries implementing care for people with DR-TB. Our expertise is based on our extensive research with partners supporting the nine-month regimen, including partnering on the first randomised control trial into a new regimen for multidrug-resistant TB (TREAT TB).

With the new World Health Organization guidelines focusing on shorter, all oral, regimens for MDR-TB, The Union continues to support countries to implement the latest evidence-based treatments.

TREAT TB

Category: Basic page

Read more about TREAT TB (Technology, Research, Education and Technical Assistance for Tuberculosis), an ambitious initiative that was launched by The Union, seeking to contribute new knowledge regarding shorter, more tolerable treatment regimens for MDR-TB.

OTHER AREAS OF OUR WORK IN TUBERCULOSIS

You might also be interested in our work on child and adolescent TB and TB-HIV, TB-diabetes and co-morbidities.

Past work that has influenced practice

Union study supports shorter treatment for multidrug-resistant TB

The Union used an operational research approach to test a shortened treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant TB. The study first demonstrated a greater than 80% success rate in Bangladesh, Cameroon and Niger and The Union continued to work to develop and implement shorter more effective regimens for the treatment of MDR-TB.

Read more

Learn more

Understand the issues with our fact sheets

DR-TB Union news

Maintaining essential child and adolescent TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic: practical solutions and lessons learnt

subtitle: Thursday 3 September, 13:00 - 14:30 PM CEST

Published on

Although the primary risk of coronavirus infection in young people with co-morbidities such as TB, HIV, or severe malnutrition is still uncertain, the negative impact of the pandemic on this already vulnerable population is becoming clear.

Advancing the fight against childhood pneumonia in LMICs

subtitle: Thursday, 27 August, 14:00 - 15:00 PM CEST

Published on

Speakers highlight recent literature on epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical signs, risk stratification, pulse oximetry, treatment approaches, including CPAP, clinical trials, air pollution, stakeholder perspectives and prevention efforts, as well as the latest on COVID-19 as a cause of pneumonia in children.

Caring for Carers - stigma awareness, attention and response

subtitle: Thursday 9 July, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST

Published on

This webinar will discuss the importance of stigma in health care facilities and amongst health care providers, and how to recognise and effectively address it. Recognising and addressing stigma in health care facilities and improving the well-being of care providers offers possibilities to create an environment free from fear and discrimination – both for the facility users as well as care providers.

DR-TB publications