Tuberculosis in Sudan: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Epidemiological Trends, Diagnosis, Drug Resistance, Challenges, and Data Gaps.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis (TB) in Sudan, focusing on prevalence, drug resistance patterns, and associated challenges while identifying knowledge gaps in scientific research and data needed for effective management. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar without language or date restrictions. Thirty-two studies and TB notification data from 2009 to 2025 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 32 studies, 41% (13/32) addressed TB prevalence and 59% (19/32) explored drug resistance. Kassala State reported the highest pulmonary TB prevalence (70%), while Khartoum had 17%. Drug-resistant TB was more prevalent in Khartoum (41.5%) than Kassala (21.4%). Only 23 studies examined HIV coinfections. TB notifications declined from 209 per 100,000 in 2009 to 10 per 100,000 in 2019 but increased to 50 per 100,000 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were lacking for Sudan's western states. Because of the Sudan war, in 2024, 14,310 cases were reported. CONCLUSION: This review underlines the scarcity of TB research in Sudan and highlights the urgent need for an integrated health information system to generate accurate, updated data for timely interventions.