Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis around the world: what progress has been made?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Global Health Security

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a significant threat to global tuberculosis (TB) control.
• High-burden countries, including Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa, account for a substantial proportion of estimated MDR-TB cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze global MDR-TB notification, treatment enrollment, and outcome data.
• To monitor the worldwide response to MDR-TB and identify areas for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Data on MDR-TB notification, treatment, and outcomes were collected and summarized for 30 high-burden countries.
• Analysis focused on data from 2010-2012, representing over 90% of estimated global MDR-TB cases.

Main Results:

• In 2012, only a median of 14% of estimated MDR-TB cases were notified across the studied countries.
• Treatment enrollment increased by over 50% in 15 countries between 2011 and 2012.
• Median treatment success rate was 53% for MDR-TB cases initiating treatment in 2010.

Conclusions:

• Progress in expanding MDR-TB care is evident, but significant gaps in diagnosis and treatment access persist.
• Urgent efforts are required to enhance MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment accessibility, especially in countries with the highest disease burden.
• Strengthening global TB control strategies is crucial to combat the growing threat of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.