Insights into drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment: results of The Union DR-TB Working Group Survey, 2017

The past 4 years have seen the introduction of new regimens and new drugs to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). To identify implementation trends over time, the DR-TB Working Group of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), in collaboration with RESIST-TB, launched an online survey to Union members around the world. Survey results showed substantial diversity in treatment roll-out: 36% of respondents stated that their country is using the 9-month regimen for MDR-TB treatment; 41% are using bedaquiline and delamanid, but not the 9-month regimen; 28% are using both; and 22% of respondents indicated that their country does not currently offer either of these treatment options. Survey respondents also identified specific challenges to the introduction of shorter MDR-TB regimens and new drugs, including access to rapid diagnosis of fluoroquinolone resistance and case management. The results of this survey are intended to help identify research and implementation gaps while highlighting the importance of global implementation of scalable regimens for the treatment of MDR-TB.