Researchers in France recently reported that they have successfully managed 20 cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) using individualized
medical and surgical treatments.
The treatments included linezolid and bedaquiline for the majority of the patients. Eight of the patients required surgery.
The latest follow-up appointment occurred at 22 months. At that point, 19 of the patients reported that they had achieved conversions from positive drug-resistant TB tests to negative on TB culture testing. These results show that comprehensive management can be successful for extensively drug-resistant TB.
Extensively drug-resistant TB, as well as multidrug-resistant TB, are some of the most challenging infections for health professionals to treat. These two strains of TB are among the major public health concerns around the world.
Specifically in France, there has been a significant increase in the number of extensively drug-resistant TB cases. Most of these cases originated in areas that used to be part of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
