Newer research transforming 24-month treatment of MDR/XDR-TB TO 6 months

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global threat to public health and remains the second leading infectious cause of death from a single infectious agent in 2022. According to the global tuberculosis report 2023, an estimated 10.6 million people developed TB in 2022 and 1.3 million died from the disease. About 4,10,000 new cases of multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) emerged in 2022. This huge burden has been recognised by World Health Organisation (WHO) by launching the End-TB strategy. The United Nations (UN) is committed to end TB epidemic globally by the year 2030; the aim is to reduce TB incidence by 80% and TB deaths by 90%. To eliminate the catastrophic cost, the Prime Minister of India has announced an ambitious plan to eliminate the TB in India by 2025, 5 years ahead of UN targets by ensuring quality health care and advanced treatment. Responding to the challenge of TB and drug-resistant tuberculosis, WHO is regularly issuing evidence-based guidelines using the International Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assessment of new scientific evidence. Major advances have been reported in newer drugs and impact making research for new regimens in recent years. National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme has adopted effective interventions and technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and care of TB giving a new hope for elimination of TB. The present article reviews the new impact making research transforming traditional 18 to 24 months treatment of MDR/XDR TB to 6 months treatment.