World Health Organization (WHO) has released the third edition of its Catalogue of Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and Their Association with Drug Resistance, offering an expanded global reference to support the identification and interpretation of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Published on 10 November 2026, the updated catalogue aims to improve the accuracy and consistency of genomic drug-resistance testing worldwide.
The latest edition incorporates data from more than 71,000 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates across over 75 countries, representing increases of 37% in data volume and 12% in geographical coverage compared with the 2023 edition. It also expands evidence on newer and repurposed TB medicines, including pretomanid and cycloserine, while introducing updated bioinformatic and statistical methods to improve mutation classification.
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“Rapid and accurate detection of drug resistance is essential to ensuring that people with tuberculosis receive the most effective treatment as early as possible,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. “As targeted next-generation sequencing technologies become increasingly accessible, this third edition substantially expands the global evidence available for interpreting drug resistance, including for newer and repurposed medicines, while strengthening guidance to support the consistent application of genomic results in practice.”
Drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, with fewer than one in two affected individuals accessing treatment. The updated catalogue builds on previous editions released in 2021 and 2023, reinforcing international efforts to improve early detection, guide appropriate treatment decisions and expand access to effective TB care.
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