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Project
An alternative way to improve diagnosis of multidrug resistant tuberculosis: a rapid diagnostic test and a clinical score. (Diagnose MDR-TB)
The emergence of multi- (MDR) and extremely resistant (XDR) forms of M. tuberculosis (MTB), in other words MTB not sensitive to isoniazid, rifampicin, and respectively also not sensitive to a fluoroquinolone and one of the three injectable second-line tuberculostatics, threaten the control of the TB at the global level. There is a high need for fast, simple, inexpensive and reliable diagnosis techniques for culture and sensitivity determination of MTB, especially in countries with a high TB incidence. The detection of suspicious MDR TB cases is difficult. The diagnosis is often made late or not at all, which gives the Koch bacilli the opportunity to spread further, or -in case of inadequate treatment- to further develop resistance. In order to prevent this, a standard second-line treatment schedule should be started empirically for patients with a strong suspicion of MDR TB. Early diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB are important milestones in the fight against XDR TB. In this research project we propose two complementary approaches: 1) the evaluation of the thin layer agar as a rapid method for the detection, identification and susceptibility of mycobacteria and 2) the development of a reliable and useful clinical prediction score for the empirical start of MDR TB treatment.
Date:1 Jan 2010 → 31 Dec 2014
Project type:PhD project