Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing [UDST]

Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) refers to in-vitro testing using either of the phenotypic methods to determine susceptibility. Drug Resistance Testing (DRT) refers to in-vitro testing using genotypic methods (molecular techniques) to determine resistance.    

Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) refers to universal access to rapid DST for at least Rifampicin (R), and further DST for at least Fluoroquinolones (FQs) among all TB patients with rifampicin-resistance.

• UDST is essential to identify patients who can be initiated on Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment instead of Drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB) treatment, especially in a situation where the drug-resistance level is high.
• It should be done preferably before initiation of treatment to a maximum within 15 days of diagnosis.
• UDST is a part of national policy under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
• NTEP has undertaken decentralization of quality assured diagnostics for scale up of UDST across the country which has helped in early detection of DR-TB treatment and reducing associated morbidity and mortality.