WHO 2018 treatment guidelines for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: uncertainty, potential risks and the way forward

Abstract The 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines for multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) give preference to all-oral long regimens for 18-20 months. The document strongly recommends combining bedaquiline, levofloxacin (or moxifloxacin) and linezolid, supplemented by cycloserine and/or clofazimine. The effectiveness of this combination in a long regimen has not been tested in any study with corresponding uncertainty. The guidelines indicate that, ideally, all MDR-TB patients should have – as a minimum – the isolate tested for fluoroquinolone, bedaquiline, and linezolid susceptibility before treatment start. Unfortunately, the drug susceptibility testing capacity in resource-limited settings is insufficient. The risk of acquired bedaquiline resistance cannot be ignored, especially in patients with undetected resistance to fluoroquinolone. Both linezolid and cycloserine are known for their high frequency of serious adverse events. The combination of bedaquiline, moxifloxacin and clofazimine in the same regimen may excessively increase the QT interval. These expected adverse effects are difficult to monitor and manage in resource-limited settings and may result in frequent modifications and a less effective regimen. The final STREAM results have confirmed the non-inferiority of the short regimen compared to the long regimen. Before evidence on the all-oral long and modified all-oral short treatment regimens is available, the WHO-recommended short MDR-TB regimens, with monitoring for ototoxicity, remain a better treatment option for the management of MDR/RR-TB patients who are eligible for short regimens in low- and middle-income countries. National tuberculosis programmes should also strengthen their capacity in the detection and management of fluoroquinolone-resistant MDR-TB following WHO's guidelines.