Seq&Treat: targeted sequencing for drug-resistant TB detection and treatment

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance worldwide and continues to be a public health threat. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) direct from clinical specimens has the potential to transform DR-TB management by providing rapid and comprehensive drug resistance testing to inform timely and treatment, including new shortened drug regimens. Swapna Uplekar, FIND, presented findings from the recently completed clinical evaluation of the Oxford Nanopore DR-TB test. This evaluation is part of the Unitaid-funded Seq&Treat grant, designed to generate evidence for global policy and accelerate the use of tNGS for DR-TB diagnosis in high TB burden countries.