Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious pathogen. Despite global health initiatives and the WHO's "End TB" Strategy, progress toward TB elimination has been slow, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.The standard treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis involves a 6-month combination of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. However, results from recent clinical trials suggest that with novel treatment regimens standard tuberculosis treatment can be shortened substantially in the majority of affected patients. In the field of drug-resistant tuberculosis, innovations include 6-9-month all-oral regimens with improved efficacy and tolerability.An integrated management approach includes patient support, culturally sensitive education, management of adverse drug reactions, and close clinical monitoring. Novel diagnostic tools and biomarkers may enhance treatment monitoring in the future. Additionally, 20 new drug candidates are currently in clinical development and may offer shorter, safer, and more effective therapies.
Köhler et al. (Wed,) studied this question.