OpiniãoFurther research is needed in the following areas:
- analysis of the predictors and biomarkers of treatment failure (related to strain, regimen and host), and of the bacteriological response, in the following important subgroups, which would help to identify more resource-saving options and reduce the time needed to make decisions:
- patients aged below 15 years;
- patients with extrapulmonary disease (different forms);
- patients on shorter MDR-TB regimens (standardized or all-oral variants);
- continuing to assess the potential role of future-generation rapid molecular testing beyond diagnostic testing to also monitor the treatment response; and
- evaluation of the engineering challenges to implementing more affordable liquid culture systems.