Evaluating bedaquiline as a treatment option for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Introduction: Despite efforts to the contrary, tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death in the world. The appearance of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has increased the need for new therapeutic options against these strains.Areas covered: This review covers the in vitro susceptibility, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of bedaquiline, a new drug shown to be active against M. tuberculosis-resistant strains. The authors further review clinical data concerning its use against MDR and XDR strains, discussing recent clinical guidelines from different international societies.Expert opinion: Available data demonstrate the usefulness of bedaquiline against resistant M. tuberculosis. Despite the difficulty in analyzing multidrug therapies, the use of bedaquiline in MDR and XDR tuberculosis increases success rates, allowing shortened treatments and lower drug use than previously recommended regimens. Moreover, the fact that MDR and XDR strains are common in many places creates a need to include this drug in the currently available protocols. It is essential to overcome the substantial barriers that some countries encounter in obtaining bedaquiline, as doing so will make therapeutic regimens including this drug available for all patients.