Limited Capability for Testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Susceptibility to New Drugs

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (DR-TB) poses a significant global health threat.
• Effective treatment relies on accurate drug susceptibility testing (DST).
• Limited availability of DST for novel and repurposed drugs hinders optimal DR-TB management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the availability of phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) for key anti-tuberculosis drugs in European laboratories.
• To identify current testing capacities for newer and repurposed drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among European laboratories performing DST for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Data collected in 2019 focused on the availability of phenotypic testing for specific drugs.
• Twenty-seven laboratories participated in the survey.

Main Results:

• Seventeen laboratories offered linezolid testing, 11 tested for clofazimine, 9 for bedaquiline, and 6 for delamanid.
• Testing capacity for newer and repurposed drugs was present in the surveyed European laboratories.
• Availability of these essential tests was found to be limited in 2019.

Conclusions:

• Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing for drug-resistant tuberculosis is established in Europe.
• The capacity for testing newer and repurposed drugs, including bedaquiline and delamanid, exists but is not widespread.
• Increased accessibility of pDST for novel anti-TB agents is crucial for improving treatment outcomes in Europe.