Advertisement

U.N.: New TB strains resists drugs

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization says tuberculosis prevention has to be strengthened because of new strains resistant to existing drugs.

A recent survey by the U.N. health agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control showed the new strains have been identified in all regions of the world, but are most frequent in former Soviet Union countries and in Asia. They have been labeled Extensive Drug Resistant TB, or XDR-TB in shorthand.

Advertisement

The WHO Tuesday said the strains are resistant to the two main anti-TB drugs -- isoniazid and rifampicin -- and three of the six secondary lines of drugs.

"XDR-TB poses a grave public health threat, especially in populations with high rates of HIV and where there are few health care resources," said the health agency at is headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Alarmingly high mortality rates have been reported from a recent outbreak of XDR-TB in an HIV-positive population in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Data collected shows 52 out of 53 patients identified with XDR-TB died on average within 25 days. Among the fatalities were those who had been using anti-retroviral drugs.

A two-day meeting was set to begin Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine how best to fight XDR-TB, especially in Africa. WHO and other TB experts are expected to attend.

Advertisement

Recommendations so far for dealing with the strains include strengthening basic TB care, ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant cases, increasing collaboration between HIV and TB control programs and increasing investment in laboratories.

Latest Headlines