WHO issue rapid communication on updated guidance for the treatment of DR- TB

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Programme has published a rapid communication announcing upcoming updates to the guidance on the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). This includes shorter novel six-month all-oral regimens for the treatment of multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB), with or without additional resistance to fluoroquinolones (pre-XDR-TB), as well as an alternative nine-month all-oral regimen for the treatment of MDR/RR-TB. 

All treatment should be delivered under WHO-recommended standards, including patient-centred care and support, informed consent where necessary, principles of good clinical practice, active drug safety monitoring and management, and regular monitoring of patients and of drug resistance to assess regimen effectiveness. 

The rapid communication is released in advance of updated WHO consolidated guidelines expected later in 2022, to inform national TB programmes and other stakeholders of key changes in the treatment of DR-TB and to allow for rapid transition and planning at country level. 

Source: WHO, 2 May 2022