Prevalence Of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Research Articles

Burden and Patterns of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

Background Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents a significant global health challenge, particularly in developing countries. This study focuses on the burden and pattern of pediatric and adolescent MDR-TB in a tertiary care hospital setting. Aims/objectives The main objective is to evaluate MDR-TB's prevalence and resistance patterns among pediatric and adolescent patients, highlighting critical demographic factors and resistance trends. Materials and methods The study utilized a prospective analytical design in two tertiary care facilities, focusing on children aged four months to 18 years diagnosed with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Data on demographic profiles, clinical outcomes, and drug resistance patterns were collected and analyzed using theStatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (IBMSPSSStatisticsforWindows,IBMCorp., Version 27.0, Armonk,NY). Results Out of 99 enrolled participants, 63 (63.64%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 70.22±48.90 months. A significant proportion, 60 (95.2%) of the cases, originated from Punjab. Notably, 10 (15.9%) of the cultures demonstrated MDR, with specific resistance observed to isoniazid (INH) in 10 (15.9%) cases, rifampicin (RIF) in 11 (17.5%) cases, and pyrazinamide (PZA) in seven (11.1%) cases. The study also recorded a high prevalence of tuberculous meningitis, affecting 52 (82.5%) participants, and malnutrition, affecting 49 (77.8%). Conclusions MDR-TB in 10 (15.9%) of the study children and adolescents presenting in Pakistan's specialized health centresis a notable burden.This points to a need for better diagnostic methods and treatment plans for pediatric patients. Implementing advanced diagnostics and personalized therapies is crucial for managing MDR-TB in susceptible demographics. Our findings emphasize the importance of updating treatment protocols to tackle the impacts of MDR-TB and its evolving resistance.

Development of a multiplex droplet digital PCR method for detection and monitoring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis

BackgroundThe prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among Korean tuberculosis patients is about 4.1%, which is higher than the OECD average of 2.6%. Inadequate drug use and poor patient compliance increase MDR-TB prevalence through selective pressure. Therefore, prompt detection of drug resistance in tuberculosis patients at the time of diagnosis and quantitative monitoring of these resistant strains during treatment are crucial.MethodsA multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed and assessed using DNA material of nine Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with known mutation status that were purchased from the Korean National Tuberculosis Association. We collected a total of 18 MDR-TB residual samples referred for PCR analysis. Total DNA was extracted from the samples and subjected to the quadruplex ddPCR assay. Their results were compared to those of known resistance phenotypes.ResultsThe analytical sensitivity and specificity of the multiplex ddPCR assay for detecting INH, RIF, EMB, FQ, and SM resistance-causing mutations ranged from 71.43 to 100% and 94.12–100%, respectively. Follow-up sample results showed that the quadruplex ddPCR assay was sensitive enough to detect IS6110 and other mutations even after onset of treatment.ConclusionsWe developed a sensitive and accurate multiplex ddPCR assay that can detect the presence of tuberculosis quantitatively and resistance-conveying mutations concurrently. This tool could aid clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of tuberculosis.

Global prevalence and burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis from 1990 to 2019.

Tuberculosis(TB) remains a pressing public health challenge, with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) emerging as a major threat. And healthcare authorities require reliable epidemiological evidence as a crucial reference to address this issue effectively. The aim was to offer a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of the global prevalence and burden of MDR-TB from 1990 to 2019. Estimates and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASR of DALYs), and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of MDR-TB were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database. The prevalence and burden of MDR-TB in 2019 were illustrated in the population and regional distribution. Temporal trends were analyzed by using Joinpoint regression analysis to calculate the annual percentage change (APC), average annual percentage change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval(CI). The estimates of the number of cases were 687,839(95% UIs: 365,512 to 1223,262), the ASPR were 8.26 per 100,000 (95%UIs: 4.61 to 15.20), the ASR of DALYs were 52.38 per 100,000 (95%UIs: 22.64 to 97.60) and the ASDR were 1.36 per 100,000 (95%UIs: 0.54 to 2.59) of MDR-TB at global in 2019. Substantial burden was observed in Africa and Southeast Asia. Males exhibited higher ASPR, ASR of DALYs, and ASDR than females across most age groups, with the burden of MDR-TB increasing with age. Additionally, significant increases were observed globally in the ASIR (AAPC = 5.8; 95%CI: 5.4 to 6.1; P < 0.001), ASPR (AAPC = 5.9; 95%CI: 5.4 to 6.4; P < 0.001), ASR of DALYs (AAPC = 4.6; 95%CI: 4.2 to 5.0; P < 0.001) and ASDR (AAPC = 4.4; 95%CI: 4.0 to 4.8; P < 0.001) of MDR-TB from 1990 to 2019. This study underscored the persistent threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis to public health. It is imperative that countries and organizations worldwide take immediate and concerted action to implement measures aimed at significantly reducing the burden of TB.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OCCURRENCE OF PRIMARY MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS IN MEDAN

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure may lead to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This failure can be detrimental to patients, not only causing death, but can also be transmitted to others, and those who are infected directly fall into the category of MDR-TB so that it can be referred to as primary MDR-TB. MDR-TB is the biggest problem in the prevention and eradication of TB worldwide. MDR-TB is a type of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to at least the first two TB drugs of choice, including Isoniazid and Rifampicin. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the association between education, contact history, and knowledge regarding the occurrence of primary MDR-TB. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study conducted at Community Health Center in Medan from November 2021 to February 2022. A total of 47 TB patients were selected for this study through purposive sampling methods. The dependent variable was primary MDR-TB occurrence while the independent variables consisted of several characteristics, namely education, contact history, and knowledge. The data were analyzed using chi-square. Results: in this study, sex (p=0.56; PR=1.12; 95% CI= 0.30&lt;1,12&lt;4,14;) and education (p=0.40; PR=0.56; 95% CI= 0.14&lt;0.56&lt;2.19) was not associated, while age (p=0.02; PR=0.16; 95% CI=0.02&lt;0.16&lt;0.94), contact history (p&lt;0.001; PR=7.94; 95% CI=2.11&lt;7.94&lt;29.83) and poor knowledge (p=0.01; PR=5.00; 95% CI= 1.31&lt;5.00&lt;18.96) were associated with an occurrence of primary MDR-TB. Conclusion: the prevalence of primary MDR-TB increases with age, contact history, and poor knowledge.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Iran: a multicenter study.

The worldwide incidence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is rapidly increasing, and it has emerged as a pressing public health issue in Iran. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of up-to-date research on the prevalence of MDR-TB in individuals with pulmonary TB in the country. In this cross-sectional study, we gathered a total of 1216 respiratory samples, each corresponding to a unique patient, from five distinct regional TB laboratories in Iran. We identified clinical isolates as Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the IS6110-based PCR assay and Xpert MTB/RIF. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) was conducted using the conventional proportion method. Out of the collected specimens, 448 tested positive for M. tuberculosis. Among these isolates, 445 (99.4%) exhibited susceptibility to the tested drugs, while 3 (0.6%) were found to be MDR. The findings from this recent study indicate that the prevalence of MDR in Iran stands at 0.6%. The absence of recently approved treatment protocols in various regions of Iran, along with inadequately equipped laboratories lacking DST capabilities, could contribute significantly to the rise in TB/MDR-TB prevalence in Iran. Therefore, the implementation of enhanced treatment management strategies and the adoption of innovative technologies are essential steps towards improving the current situation.

Socio-Demographic Profile of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Including Multi-Drug Resistant Cases, at Chest Diseases Hospital, Rajshahi

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health concern, with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) constituting a substantial burden. This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile of PTB patients, with a focus on Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases, at Chest Diseases Hospital in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Data from 299 patients were analyzed, considering variables such as age, gender, education, income, and urban or rural residence. The study revealed that the majority of patients were aged 30-44 years, with a mean age of 38.06 years. Gender distribution showed 54.18% males and 45.82% females. Most patients had primary education, and a significant portion were illiterate. Housewives were the largest occupational group, and the majority had a monthly family income of less than Taka 10,000. Furthermore, the study found a significant relationship between MDR-TB and the type of family and monthly family income, with higher MDR-TB prevalence in nuclear families and among those with lower income. This study provides critical insights into the socio-demographic characteristics of PTB patients, especially those with MDR-TB, in Rajshahi, contributing to tailored TB control strategies.

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis and its associated factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients linked to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in north-west Ethiopia

Introduction. Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging global challenge. Ethiopia is one of the 20 top countries with the highest estimated numbers of incidents of MDR-TB. Recently, the World Health Organization warned that drug-resistant TB is escalating and called for concerted action to reduce the spread of drug resistance. Hypothesis. The current study investigated MDR-TB in patients receiving first-line anti-TB drug treatment and associated factors. Aim. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB and its associated factors among smear-positive pulmonary TB patients receiving first-line anti-TB drug treatment. Methodology. An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed. All data were collected from laboratory result log books and information via a questionnaire. Samples from 205 smear-positive pulmonary TB patients were selected among first-line drug treatment by a systematic sampling method. Specimens were transported to Felege Hiwot referral hospital laboratory for GeneXpert testing. Factors associated with an outcome variable in binary multi-variable logistic regression analysis at P&lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant variables. An ethical approval letter was taken to the respective health facility and written consent was obtained from each participant. Results. The overall prevalence of MDR-TB was 9.3 % (95 % CI, 5.4 13.7 %). Sign and symptom experience of anti-TB drug side effects [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.18, 95 % CI=0.03–0.99, P=0.049] and co-morbidity (AOR=0.03, 95 % CI=0.01–0.55, P=0.02) were statistically associated with the development of MDR-TB infection Conclusion. The prevalence of MDR-TB was high (9.3 %) and contributed highly to new cases (8.3 %). Factors associated with MDR-TB were previous treatment, co-morbidity and laboratory diagnosis method prior to TB treatment. Therefore, this finding aims to maximize early detection and treatment, strengthening TB infection control, and proper implementation of directly observed therapy short course recommendations to reduce the burden of MDR-TB.

Assessment of drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the Central Region of Somalia: A 3-year retrospective study.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a public health emergency and a threat globally. Although increasing MDR-TB cases have been recently reported in Somalia, limited information is known. This study aims to determine the prevalence of drug-susceptible and MDR-TB in suspected patients referred to the TB Department in Mudug Hospital, Galkayo, Somalia, and identify potential factors associated with MDR-TB. A 3-year hospital laboratory-based retrospective study was conducted by manually reviewing laboratory records of Mycobacterium tuberculosis specimens and GeneXpert MTB/RIF results from January 2019 to December 2021 at the reference mycobacteria laboratory department in Mudug Hospital. A total of 714 positive GeneXpert-MTB results were identified: 619 (86.7%) were drug susceptible (no Rifampin resistance [RR] detected) and 95 (13.3%) with RR detected or defined as MDR-TB. Most of the MDR-TB patients were males (71.6%, 68/95) and between the ages of 15 to 24 (31.6%, 30/95). Most isolates were collected in 2021 (43.2%, 41/95). Multivariate analyses show no significant difference between patients having MDR-TB and/or drug-susceptible TB for all variables. This study showed an alarming frequency of MDR-TB cases among M. tuberculosis-positive patients at a regional TB reference laboratory in central Somalia.

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis In Children.

To assess the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and to identify possible risk factors in children. The descriptive, interview-based study was conducted at the Pulmonology outdoor clinic of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January to August 2019, and comprised children aged up to 14 years who were either contacts of a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients or non-contacts. Data related to their demography as well as clinical and social characteristics was collected using a questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Of the 202 subjects, 115(56.9%) were girls and 87(43.1%) were boys. There were 70(34.7%) subjects aged >13 years, followed by 45(22.3%) aged 9-12 years, 44(21.8%) aged £4 years and 43(21.3%) aged 5-8 years. Overall, there were 26(12.9%) cases positive for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; 16(61.5%) girls and 10(38.5%) boys. In terms of age, 17(65.4) cases were positive in those aged >13 years. Age, previous history of tuberculosis, co- infection with any immune-compromising disease and close contact with patients of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis were significant risk factors identified. The prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis was high in contacts of multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients, more prevalent in children aged 13-14 years.

Characteristics of TB/HIV Co-Infection and Patterns of Multidrug-Resistance Tuberculosis in the Northwest Amhara, Ethiopia.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has continued to be a serious public health threat and significantly challenges global TB control and prevention efforts, where the TB/HIV co-infection epidemic makes the situation much worse. The aim of the study was to determine the determinant factors associated with patterns of MDR-TB among pulmonary TB patients in the Northwest Amhara, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2022 to February 2023 in the Northwest Amhara, Ethiopia. Data on the participants' socio-demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained using a pre-tested checklist. Phenotypic susceptibility testing to first-line anti-TB drugs was performed on 180 isolates by automated BD BACTEC MGIT 960 system. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of risk factors with patterns of MDR-TB. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The overall proportion of TB with HIV co-infected cases was 19.8% (50/252). Culture positivity was confirmed in 203/252 (80.6%) of sputum samples. Among 168 isolates, the DST showed that 119 (70.8%) isolates were pan-susceptible to all first-line drugs and prevalence of any resistance to first-line drugs was 49,168 (29.2%). Among the resistant isolates, 28 (16.7%) were any mono-resistance and 12 (7.1%) were determined to be resistant to MDR-TB. TB with a previous TB treatment (aOR = 6.73, 95% CI: 1.78-25.47, p = 0.005) and HIV co-infected (aOR = 0.252, 95% CI: 0.73-0.875, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with MDR-TB. Higher prevalence of TB and MDR-TB was examined among TB patients in the study area. In the study, history of previous TB treatment was the strongest risk factor MDR-TB infection followed by TB with HIV co-infected cases. Therefore, there is a need of strengthening TB control and prevention programs to reduce the increase of TB incidence, further emergence and transmission of a public health threat of MDR-TB cases.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Luoyang, China.

We aimed to examine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Luoyang, China, identify related risk factors, inform clinical practices, and establish standardized anti-tubercular treatment regimens. We conducted a retrospective analysis of high-resolution melting curve (HRM) data from 17,773 cases (2,748 of which were positive) between June 2019 and May 2022 to assess the prevalence of MDR-TB and to identify its associated risk factors. Between June 2019 and May 2022, out of the 17,773 HRM results, 2,748 were HRM-positive, and 312 were MDR-TB cases. The detection rates for HRM-positive and MDR-TB were 17.0 and 12.1% for males, and 12.4 and 8.2% for females, respectively. The MDR-TB detection rate was higher in the urban areas (14.6%) than in the rural areas (10.6%) and more common among individuals under 51 years of age (14.1%) than those over 50 years of age (9.3%). Notably, the rate of detecting MDR-TB was 18.3% higher in new male patients than in new female patients, which was at 10.6%, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Moreover, the rate of MDR detection in females who had received anti-tuberculosis treatment (21.3%) was higher than that in males (16.9%). In the multivariate model that considered the results of the sputum smear and detection time, MDR-TB was positively correlated with a history of tuberculosis (TB) treatment, being male, being younger than 51 years, and living in urban areas. Local TB infections are complex and diverse; therefore, more comprehensive monitoring methods are needed to curb the spread of MDR-TB.

Prevalence and risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a global challenge. Owing to its high annual mortality and morbidity rates, as stated in the annual global TB reports provided by WHO, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis was shown to be increasing worldwide in 2021. Patients with tuberculosis from 2018 to 2022 represented ~40 million individuals, including 1.5 million with DR-TB. The study’s goal was to identify MDR-TB prevalence and risk factors in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Patients and methods The research was done on 114 patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB in Jazan Chest Hospital from January to April, 2019. Demographic data were collected. Monteux test, chest radiograph, sputum smear, and Lowenstein–Jensen culture were performed for all patients with pulmonary TB. Patients were allocated in either group A, with 103 (90.4%) patients, if they had Mycobacterium tuberculosis-susceptible isolates, or in group B, with 11 (9.7%) patients, if they had M. tuberculosis-resistant isolates. Results The observed overall DR-TB prevalence was 9.7%. The proportion of MDR isolates was 7%, polyresistant isolate TB was 0.9%, rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis was 0.9%, and ethambutol-resistant TB was 0.9%. Females were more in group B (54.5%) than in group A (26.2%). Unmarried patients were higher in group A (60.2%) than in group B (29.3%). Comorbidities had significant values in the drug-resistant groups (90.9%). Conclusion The study showed that screening and treatment of DR-TB are crucial for the control of TB in Jazan and Saudi Arabia as a whole.

Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and associated factors among presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a growing public health problem in developing countries including Somalia. Although, the prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis among new and retreated cases is high, data on GeneXpert- Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin-resistant assay, which is a surrogate marker for multidrug resistance, is not well explored in Mogadishu. To determine the prevalence of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its associated factors among presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis patients visiting tuberculosis centers in Mogadishu, Somalia. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in three tuberculosis treatment centers from March 12 to April 30, 2021. Laboratory professionals collected sputum sample consecutively from presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis participants and performed a GeneXpert assay to determine the rifampicin resistance. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with rifampicin resistance using an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of less than 0.05. A total of 370 presumptive tuberculosis suspects were included; of whom 58.4% were females and the mean age of the participants was 44.3 ± 14 years. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 63 (17%) (95% confidence interval = 13.2-20.8) suspects. Of these the prevalence of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 35% (95% confidence interval = 30.2-39.8). Anti-tuberculosis treatment history (adjusted odds ratio = 4.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.91-6.75), monthly income less than $100 USD (adjusted odds ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.77-5.98) and being diagnosed with Asthma (adjusted odds ratio = 2.63; 95% confidence interval = 1.3-7.3) were significantly associated with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. A considerable proportion of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis is reported in these study settings. The strong association between multidrug resistance tuberculosis and patients' retreatment history of tuberculosis, low income, and co-morbidity with asthma highlights the need for more efforts in tuberculosis treatment and monitoring programs to limit the emergence of multi-drug resistant strain in the study areas.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in India: A mini systematic review and meta-analysis (2016–2022)

India carries the highest global burden of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) (26%). There remains an uncertainty around the population-based estimates of MDR-TB in India. Applying a systematic review approach, we searched PubMed and Scopus to identify studies reporting the prevalence of MDR-TB among new and/or previously treated patients (cases) at any site in India and published during 2016–2022. Of 341 retrieved articles, we could select only 10 and excluded many as they were either unrelated or had limitations. From the meta-analysis of available studies, we found the pooled prevalence of MDR-TB among new cases as 3.9% (95% (CI 2.2–6.1) and as 13.4% (95% CI 8.8–18.7) among previously treated cases. Overall, it was 6.7% (95% CI 4.2–9.6). Albeit with a wider confidence intervals, the prevalence figures calculated from the present study are comparable to those reported by the National Anti-TB Drug Resistance Survey. Among selected studies, the majority were from North India and the recent data on prevalence are lacking for other Indian regions. This mini-review highlights the need for the Indian National TB Elimination Program to make provisions for regional periodic prevalence surveys for careful designing of MDR-TB control strategies.

Analysis of Drug-Resistance Characteristics and Genetic Diversity of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing on the Hainan Island, China.

Given the high burden of Tuberculosis (TB) in China, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is significant. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) enables the identification of lineages, drug-resistant mutations, and transmission patterns, offering valuable insights for TB control, clinical diagnosis, and treatment. We collected 202 MDR-MTB strains from 3519 suspected pulmonary TB patients treated at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University between July 2019 and June 2021. Proportional drug-susceptibility testing was performed using 8 common anti-tuberculosis drugs. Subsequently, the genotypic drug resistance and genetic characteristics were analyzed by the WGS. Lineages are identified by TB-profiler revealed 202 MDR-MTB strains, showcasing three predominant lineages, with lineage 2 being the most prevalent. Close genomic relatedness analysis and evidence of MTB transmission led to the formation of 15 clusters comprising 42 isolates, resulting in a clustering rate of 20.8%. Novelty, lineage 2.1 (non-Beijing) accounted for 27.2% of the MDR-MTB strains, which is rare in China and Neighboring countries. Regarding first-line anti-TB drugs, genes associated with rifampicin resistance, primarily the rpoB gene, were detected in 200 strains (99.0%). Genes conferring resistance to isoniazid, ethambutol, and streptomycin were identified in 191 (94.5%), 125 (61.9%), and 100 (49.5%) strains, respectively. Among the second-line drugs, 97 (48.0%) strains exhibited genes encoding resistance to fluoroquinolones. Comparing the results to phenotypic drug susceptibility-based testing, the sensitivity of WGS for detecting resistance to each of the six drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, ofloxacin, kanamycin, capreomycin) was 90% or higher. With the exception of ethambutol, the specificity of WGS prediction for the remaining drugs exceeded 88%. Our study provides crucial insights into genetic mutation types, genetic diversity, and transmission of MDR-MTB on Hainan Island, serving as a significant reference for MDR-MTB surveillance and clinical decision-making.

Computational Analysis of Anion Transporter Proteins Revealed Rv3679 and Rv2397c as Potential Drug Targets for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is still a serious, life-threatening disease all throughout the world. One of the greatest therapeutic challenges is the treatment of multidrugresistant tuberculosis. The prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a danger to the ability of conventional control strategies to stem the global TB epidemic. Drug resistance in TB is primarily a result of poor prescribing practices, noncompliance with treatment regimens, erratic drug supply, and subpar drug quality. The cell wall composition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis makes it many times less permeable to chemotherapeutic drugs, the current vaccination only provides modest protection against the disease. The cell membrane, which is made up of proteins from the ATP binding cassette family, allows Mycobacterium tuberculosis to quickly alter its cellular membrane to adapt to an unfavourable environment. A greater understanding of such transport proteins may lead to earlier detection and more effective therapeutic drug targets. A thorough computational analyses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis anion transporter proteins was conducted. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict its physiochemical properties, secondary structure, functional analysis, protein-protein interaction, subcellular localization, and molecular docking was also carried out. From the selected proteins, Rv3679 and Rv2397c exhibited best results and can be considered as potential drug targets.

Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant TB Among Smear-Positive Pulmonary TB Patients in Banadir, Somalia: A Multicenter Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is the second most common cause of death from a single infectious agent. TB infection affects anyone, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. Drug-resistant TB is a serious public health problem, which needs treatment with a second-line anti-TB drug and it includes poly-drug resistance (PDR), multi-drug resistance (MDR), and extensive drug resistance (XDR). The goal of this research is to find out the prevalence of MDR TB among pulmonary TB patients in Banadir, Somalia. This was a multicenter retrospective review of data involving 1732 smear-positive pulmonary TB patients visiting Banadir TB centers between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Demographic, clinical, and drug susceptibility data were retrieved from TB treatment cards. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software(IBM SPSS Statistics version 26). All 1732 pulmonary TB cases were previously diagnosed by the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF test. Among them, 70.4% (1219/1732) were males. The mean age was 31.77 years. Overall, the prevalence of drug resistance TB was 10.56% (183/1732). The MDR TB was 1.96%, poly-drug resistance (PDR) was 0.12%, and extensive drug resistance was 0.06%. This study showed a prevalence of MDR-TB among pulmonary TB patients, which is similar to some of the eastern African countries.

Characteristics of Drug-sensitive and Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Cases among Adults at Tuberculosis Referral Hospitals in Indonesia.

As Indonesia's rifampin resistance testing rates are lower than global testing rates per the 2020 WHO global tuberculosis (TB) report, prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB may be underestimated. Our study aimed to evaluate prevalence and patterns of TB drug resistance (DR) within Indonesia. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from 2017-2018 as part of a cohort study of adults with presumed pulmonary TB at 7 DR-TB referral hospitals in Indonesia. Bacteriological examinations (acid-fast bacilli, GeneXpert, sputum culture) and drug-susceptibility testing were performed following the guidelines of the National TB Program. Of 447 participants with complete bacteriological examinations, 312 (69.8%) had positive sputum cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The proportion of MDR and pre-extensively drug-resistant was higher in previously treated compared with newly diagnosed participants (52.5% [73/139] versus 15% [26/173]). Compared with drug-sensitive case, drug-resistant TB was associated with cavities. Given the difference between rates of DR in TB referral hospitals from our study compared with the WHO survey in 2019 that showed 17.7% and 3.3% DR among previously treated and newly diagnosed participants globally, further characterization of Indonesia's TB epidemiology in the general population is needed. Strategies, including public policies to optimize case finding, strengthen capacity for resistance testing, and prevent loss to follow-up will be critical to reduce the burden of TB in Indonesia.

Regional distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid as determined by high-resolution melt analysis

BackgroundIdentifying the transmission mode and resistance mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is key to prevent disease transmission. However, there is a lack of regional data. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the transmission of MTB and regional patterns of resistance to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RFP), as well as the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).MethodsHigh-resolution melt (HRM) analysis was conducted using sputum, alveolar lavage fluid, and pleural fluid samples collected from 17,515 patients with suspected or confirmed MTB infection in the downtown area and nine counties of Luoyang City from 2019 to 2021.ResultsOf the 17,515 patients, 82.6% resided in rural areas, and 96.0% appeared for an initial screening. The HRM positivity rate was 16.8%, with a higher rate in males than females (18.0% vs. 14.1%, p < 0.001). As expected, a positive sputum smear was correlated with a positive result for HRM analysis. By age, the highest rates of MTB infection occurred in males (22.9%) aged 26–30 years and females (28.1%) aged 21–25. The rates of resistance to RFP and INH and the incidence of MDR were higher in males than females (20.5% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001, 15.9% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.001 and 12.9% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). The HRM positivity rate was much higher in previously treated patients than those newly diagnosed for MTB infection. Notably, males at the initial screening had significantly higher rates of HRM positive, INH resistance, RFP resistance, and MDR-TB than females (all, p < 0.05), but not those previously treated for MTB infection. The HRM positivity and drug resistance rates were much higher in the urban vs. rural population. By multivariate analyses, previous treatment, age < 51 years, residing in an urban area, and male sex were significantly and positively associated with drug resistance after adjusting for smear results and year of testing.ConclusionMales were at higher risks for MTB infection and drug resistance, while a younger age was associated with MTB infection, resistance to INH and RFP, and MDR-TB. Further comprehensive monitoring of resistance patterns is needed to control the spread of MTB infection and manage drug resistance locally.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drug Resistance in Ethiopia: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health issue, despite advances in diagnostic technologies, substantial global efforts, and the availability of effective chemotherapies. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a species of pathogenic bacteria resistant to currently available anti-TB drugs, is on the rise, threatening national and international TB-control efforts. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken using PubMed/MEDLINE, HINARI, the Web of Science, ScienceDirect electronic databases, and Google Scholar (1 January 2011 to 30 November 2020). After cleaning and sorting the records, the data were analyzed using STATA 11. The study outcomes revealed the weighted pooled prevalence of any anti-tuberculosis drug resistance, any isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) resistance, monoresistance to INH and RIF, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in newly diagnosed and previously treated patients with TB. Results: A total of 24 studies with 18,908 patients with TB were included in the final analysis. The weighted pooled prevalence of any anti-TB drug resistance was 14.25% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.05–21.44%)), whereas the pooled prevalence of any INH and RIF resistance was found in 15.62% (95%CI: 6.77–24.47%) and 9.75% (95%CI: 4.69–14.82%) of patients with TB, respectively. The pooled prevalence for INH and RIF-monoresistance was 6.23% (95%CI: 4.44–8.02%) and 2.33% (95%CI: 1.00–3.66%), respectively. MDR-TB was detected in 2.64% (95%CI: 1.46–3.82%) of newly diagnosed cases and 11.54% (95%CI: 2.12–20.96%) of retreated patients with TB, while the overall pooled prevalence of MDR-TB was 10.78% (95%CI: 4.74–16.83%). Conclusions: In Ethiopia, anti-tuberculosis drug resistance is widespread. The estimated pooled prevalence of INH and RIF-monoresistance rates were significantly higher in this review than in previous reports. Moreover, MDR-TB in newly diagnosed cases remained strong. Thus, early detection of TB cases, drug-resistance testing, proper and timely treatment, and diligent follow-up of TB patients all contribute to the improvement of DR-TB management and prevention. Besides this, we urge that a robust, routine laboratory-based drug-resistance surveillance system be implemented in the country.