Together against antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis in Europe

On 8–9 June 2026, more than 50 leading specialists in the field gathered in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, for the 1^st Antimicrobial Stewardship in Tuberculosis Conference. A further 50 experts joined online, with participants representing more than 40 countries across the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The conference was organized by the Tuberculosis Network European Trials Group (TBnet), a non-governmental organization in the field of tuberculosis dedicated to research, education and capacity building. It was conducted in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. In their opening remarks, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Professor Emil Ceban, Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the growing threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Europe and the urgent need for coordinated, strategic action.

In 2024, an estimated 390,000 people worldwide developed multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB). Several countries in the WHO European Region, including the Republic of Moldova, are disproportionately affected. The WHO has classified rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis as one of four priority bacterial pathogens globally, underscoring the need to protect the effectiveness of existing and future treatments.

“Important progress has been made in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis, but emerging resistance to newer medicines shows that these gains cannot be taken for granted. As treatment options continue to evolve, antimicrobial stewardship is essential to ensure that both existing and novel medicines remain effective for future generations,” said Dr. Dumitru Chesov MD PhD, who led the local organizing committee for TBnet. A central focus of the conference was the implementation of the recently published International Clinical Standards for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Tuberculosis. Participants reviewed results from an international survey conducted by TBnet ahead of the meeting among more than 40 WHO European Region Member States. The survey identified important gaps in governance and policy, capacity building, access to diagnostics, clinical management, monitoring, and stewardship practices. “These standards provide a practical framework for strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in tuberculosis care. The conference was an important step towards translating them into action across the WHO European Region,” said Dr. Thomas Theo Brehm MD PhD, who led the development of the international standards and the accompanying implementation survey.

The conference findings informed structured breakout discussions on priority actions. The meeting concluded with the formation of international working groups that will develop practical tools, educational activities, monitoring frameworks, and policy recommendations to support countries in strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in tuberculosis care.

The conference was funded by the Oskar Medicine Award of the Foundation Oskar-Helene-Heim, Berlin, and conducted with the participation of other international stakeholders like DZIF, DZK, ECDC, ESGAP, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, and The Union.

Clinical standards for antimicrobial stewardship in TB

Brehm TT, et al. Clinical standards for antimicrobial stewardship in TB care. IJTLD Open. 2025

Dec 10;2(12):716-726. doi: 10.5588/ijtldopen.25.0522.

Contact

Tuberculosis Network European Trialsgroup (TBnet)

c/o Mrs. Anne Oleischeck / E-Mail: admin@tbnet.eu

Pictures: Copyright - Sergiu Munteanu

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