s the multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a significant public health crisis with only a fraction of affected individuals accessing treatment globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended adoption of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) tests for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB).

In its latest guidance, outlined in the third edition of "WHO Consolidated Guidelines on Tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid Diagnostics for Tuberculosis Detection, the WHO said that these tests offer a more precise analysis of the specific genomic regions of TB-causing bacteria present in patient samples, thereby enhancing the detection of drug resistance compared to alternative sequencing methods.

On the other hand, tests employing whole genome sequencing analyse the entire bacterial genome for drug resistance.

Furthermore, implementing tNGS tests necessitates diagnostic labs to be equipped with adequate data management and storage infrastructure. The WHO has also unveiled a new TB sequencing portal housing a vast repository of sequences, serving as a comprehensive knowledge base for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria causing TB.

Only about two in five people with drug-resistant TB are accessing treatment globally in 2022.

Accompanying the guidance, the WHO has also launched a new TB sequencing portal hosting more than 56,000 sequences and representing "the most advanced sequencing and phenotyping knowledge base for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the TB-causing bacteria)".

A global study published in "The Lancet Infectious Diseases" journal earlier this week found that India, along with most of the world, failed to achieve WHO's End TB milestones for 2020 -- including 20 per cent reduced TB incidence and 35 per cent fewer deaths, compared to the baseline figures of 2015.

Only 17 of the 204 countries investigated were found to have met the 2020 End TB mortality milestone, with researchers citing drug resistance as an important factor for failing to meet the mortality targets.

Dr. Vikas Tandon, Sr. Consultant - Spine Surgeon, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre said that among all the TB cases, bone and spine TB, also known as osteoarticular TB, constitute a significant portion, accounting for approximately 1-2% of all TB cases in the country.

The incidence of bone and spine TB in India is high, primarily due to the country's large population, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. The disease is more prevalent in rural areas, where access to medical care is limited, and people often live in crowded and unhygienic conditions.