New technologies for diagnosing tuberculosis will be implemented in the Republic of Moldova. There will be used portative and mobile radiological equipment with artificial intelligence software that provides a preventive response during about 3 minutes so that the persons suspected of having tuberculosis are examined further, Valentina Vilc, coordinator of the National Tuberculosis Response Program, stated in a news conference held in connection with World TB Day, IPN reports.

Until the end of 2022, all the four reference laboratories, including those of the Transnistrian region, will be outfitted with equipment that enables to determine resistance to anti-TB medications during about two hours. The new devices enable to test susceptibility to first-line anti-TB medications and to second-line medications too. This allows promptly initiating treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, stated the coordinator.

As to the fact that Moldova continues to be among the top 30 countries with a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis, Valentina Vilc said that with the use of new technology, the diagnosis and treatment of TB became faster and easier. The implemented measures contribute to stopping the spread of tuberculosis in society. “The patients’ adherence to treatment and the treatment success rate grow,” stated the specialist.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a special form of TB infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to treatment with at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB medications, isoniazid and rifampin. Some forms of TB are also resistant to second-line medications, and are called extensively drug-resistant TB. Since September 2020, short treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB have been implemented in Moldova. Treatment is shortened to nine months, as opposed to 18-24 moths the previous years.