New Tuberculosis Data Reported by Researchers at University of Liverpool School Tropical Medicine

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Liverpool School Tropical Medicine have presented data on a new treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The study, which took place from January 2020 to December 2023, compared a standard injectable-containing regimen to an all-oral regimen for multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB). The results showed that the all-oral regimen was more effective, with higher treatment success rates (90.8% vs. 80.3%) and lower mortality rates (7.5% vs. 16.4%). The all-oral regimen also had fewer serious adverse events, but more cases of anaemia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study compared a standard injectable-containing regimen to an all-oral regimen for MDR/RR-TB in a programmatic setting in Lao PDR.
  • The all-oral regimen demonstrated high effectiveness and acceptable safety, with higher treatment success rates and lower mortality rates compared to the standard regimen.
  • The all-oral regimen had fewer serious adverse events, but more cases of anaemia compared to the standard regimen.
  • The study found that both regimens showed improvements in health-related quality of life, but the all-oral regimen had greater recovery in mobility, daily activities, and anxiety reduction.
  • The study concluded that the all-oral regimen is a preferred approach for drug-resistant TB care, but noted the observational design and limited power of the study.

Statistics:

  • 126 participants were included in the study.
  • 65 participants received the all-oral regimen, while 61 participants received the standard regimen.
  • Treatment success was higher in the all-oral group (90.8% vs. 80.3%).
  • Mortality rates were lower in the all-oral group (7.5% vs. 16.4%).
  • Serious adverse events were fewer in the all-oral group (12.3% vs. 19.7%).
  • Anaemia was more common in the all-oral group (46.2%).
  • Both groups showed improvements in health-related quality of life, but the all-oral group had greater recovery in mobility, daily activities, and anxiety reduction.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Tuberculosis Data Have Been Reported by Researchers at University of Liverpool School Tropical Medicine (All-oral Shorter Treatment Regimens for Multidrug- and Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis: Evaluating Their Effectiveness, Safety, and ...). TB & Outbreaks Week. October 21, 2025; p 4073.
  • Tropical Medicine & International Health. All-oral Shorter Treatment Regimens for Multidrug- and Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis: Evaluating Their Effectiveness, Safety, and Impact On the Quality of Life of Patients In Lao Pdr. 2025.