Abstract
BackgroundData on the levels of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs in Cameroon, and on the species of MTBC circulating in the country are obsolete. The picture about 10 years after the last studies, and 6 years after the re-organisation of the National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme (NTBCP) is not known.MethodsThe study was conducted from February to July 2009 in the West and Centre regions of Cameroon. A total of 756 suspected patients were studied. MTBC species were detected by the standard Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Bacterial susceptibility to the first line drugs [isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB) and streptomycin (SM)] were performed on cultures using the indirect proportion method. MTBC species were identified by standard biochemical and culture methods.ResultsOf the 756 suspected patients, 154 (20.37%) were positive by smear microscopy. Of these, 20.77% were HIV patients. The growth of Mycobacterium was observed with the sputa from 149 (96.75%) subjects. All the isolates were identified as either M. tuberculosis or M. africanum. Among these, 16 (10.73%) were resistant to at least one drug (13.3% for the West region and 8.1% for the Centre). The initial resistance rates were 7.35% for the Centre region and 11.29% for the West region, while the acquired resistance rates were 16.66% (1/6) for the Centre region and 23.07% (3/13) for the West. Within the two regions, the highest total resistance to one drug was obtained with INH and SM (2.68% each). Multidrug-resistance (MDR) was observed only in the West region at a rate of 6.67%. No resistance was recorded for EMB.ConclusionsM. tuberculosis and M. africanum remain the MTBC species causing pulmonary TB in the West and Centre regions of Cameroon. Following the re-organisation of the NTBCP, resistance to all first line anti-TB drugs has declined significantly (p < 0.05 for West; and p < 0.01 for Centre) in comparison to previous studies. However, the general rates of anti-TB drug resistance remain high in the country, underscoring the need for greater enforcement of control strategies.
Highlights
Data on the levels of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs in Cameroon, and on the species of MTBC circulating in the country are obsolete
In a 2000 WHO report on Africa, the overall level of initial resistance varied from 6.3% to 24.8%, and the level of multidrug resistant TB strains (MDR-TB) from 1% to 5.3% [4]
Patients confirmed as having pulmonary tuberculosis for the first time and without any history of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment were considered as new cases and any drug resistance associated to them were reported as initial resistance
Summary
Data on the levels of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs in Cameroon, and on the species of MTBC circulating in the country are obsolete. The emergence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance is a serious problem for TB control programmes in industrialized and developing countries alike. A global project on anti-tuberculosis drug resistance surveillance by the WHO and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) [4] reported a prevalence of initial drug resistance of more than 10% in over 30 countries; it identified 14 countries in which the prevalence of initial multidrug resistant TB strains (MDR-TB) (defined as resistance to at least isoniazid [INH] and rifampicin [RMP]) was more than 3%. The data available on the rates of drug resistance in Africa are not extensive and up to date
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