A matched cohort study in South Africa revealed that patients with bedaquiline-resistant tuberculosis faced significantly longer times to microbiological recovery and poorer clinical outcomes compared to those with drug-susceptible strains. Over 82 patients suffering from bedaquiline-resistant, rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were compared with 82 having drug-susceptible tuberculosis. The median time to sustained sputum culture conversion was dramatically longer in the resistant group. Additionally, 88% of these patients continued to receive bedaquiline despite their resistance status, highlighting the urgent need for improved resistance testing and treatment options.

Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases