Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Europe: A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Trends.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly intensified global concerns surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in relation to tuberculosis (TB). In the European Union (EU), the reallocation of healthcare resources towards managing COVID-19 led to a de-prioritization of TB surveillance and control. This shift contributed to delays in TB diagnosis and treatment, creating conditions favorable for the emergence and spread of drug-resistant TB strains. This meta-analysis aims to assess epidemiological trends of drug-resistant TB across EU countries before, during, and after the pandemic and quantify the impact of COVID-19 on Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance patterns. Methods: Data were obtained from the European Centre for Disease P

SUBMITTER: Zouganeli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12566819 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature