Drug resistance is slowing fight against TB


Standard methods of treating tuberculosis are failing in countries with high rates of multi-drug resistant (MDR) forms of the disease, say researchers who analyzed World Health Organization data from 2003 to 2004 for 155 countries. "In countries where the prevalence of initial drug resistance exceeds three per cent, we believe it is urgent to strengthen capacity to perform drug sensitivity testing, or to reevaluate these standard treatment regimens, given the unacceptably high rates of failure and relapse," wrote lead author Dr. Dick Menzies, director of the respiratory division at McGill, and colleagues. The study was published in the first issue for August of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.