Previous Episode Of Tuberculosis Research Articles

Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Vietnam, 2020–2022

ObjectiveWe conducted a descriptive analysis of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Vietnam’s two largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. MethodsAll patients with rifampicin resistant tuberculosis were recruited from Hanoi and surrounding provinces between 2020 and 2022. Additional patients were recruited from Ho Chi Minh city over the same time period. Demographic data were recorded from all patients, and samples collected, cultured, whole genome sequenced and analysed for drug resistance mutations. Genomic susceptibility predictions were made on the basis of the World Health Organization’s catalogue of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis associated with drug resistance, version 2. Comparisons were made against phenotypic drug susceptibility test results where these were available. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for previous episodes of tuberculosis. Results233/265 sequenced isolates were of sufficient quality for analysis, 146 (63 %) from Ho Chi Minh City and 87 (37 %) from Hanoi. 198 (85 %) were lineage 2, 20 (9 %) were lineage 4, and 15 (6 %) were lineage 1. 17/211 (8 %) for whom HIV status was known were infected, and 109/214 (51 %) patients had had a previous episode of tuberculosis. The main risk factor for a previous episode was HIV infection (odds ratio 5.1 (95 % confidence interval 1.3–20.0); p = 0.021). Sensitivity for predicting first-line drug resistance from whole genome sequencing data was over 90 %, with the exception of pyrazinamide (85 %). For moxifloxacin and amikacin it was 50 % or less. Among rifampicin-resistant isolates, prevalence of resistance to each non-first-line drug was < 20 %. ConclusionsDrug resistance among most MDR-TB strains in Vietnam’s two largest cities is confined largely to first-line drugs. Living with HIV is the main risk factor among patients with MDR-TB for having had a previous episode of tuberculosis.

High Rates of Recurrent Tuberculosis Disease: A Population-level Cohort Study.

BackgroundRetreatment tuberculosis (TB) disease is common in high-prevalence settings. The risk of repeated episodes of recurrent TB is unknown. We calculated the rate of recurrent TB per subsequent episode by matching individual treatment episodes over a period of 13 years.MethodsAll recorded TB episodes in Cape Town between 2003 and 2016 were matched by probabilistic linkage of personal identifiers. Among individuals with a first episode notified in Cape Town and who completed their prior treatment successfully we estimated the recurrence rate stratified by subsequent episode and HIV status. We adjusted person-time to background mortality by age, sex, and HIV status.ResultsA total of 292 915 TB episodes among 263 848 individuals were included. The rate of recurrent TB was 16.4 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 16.2–16.6), and increased per subsequent episode (8.4-fold increase, from 14.6 to 122.7 per 1000 from episode 2 to 6, respectively). These increases were similar stratified by HIV status. Rates among HIV positives were higher than among HIV negatives for episodes 2 and 3 (2- and 1.5-fold higher, respectively), and the same thereafter.ConclusionsTB recurrence rates were high and increased per subsequent episode, independent of HIV status. This suggests that HIV infection is insufficient to explain the high burden of recurrence; it is more likely due to a high annual risk of infection combined with an increased risk of infection or progression to disease associated with a previous TB episode. The very high recurrence rates would justify increased TB surveillance of patients with >1 episode.

Tuberculosis recurrences and predictive factors in a vulnerable population in Catalonia.

BackgroundPatients with a history of tuberculosis (TB) have a high probability of recurrence because long-term cure is not always maintained in successfully treated patients. The aim of this study was to identify the probability of TB recurrence and its predictive factors in a cohort of socially vulnerable patients who completed treatment in the TB referral center in Catalonia, which acts as the center for patients with social and health problems.MethodsThis retrospective open cohort study included all patients diagnosed with TB who were admitted and successfully treated in Serveis Clínics between 2000 and 2016 and who remained disease-free for a minimum of 1 year after treatment completion. We calculated the incidence density of TB recurrences per person-years of follow-up. We also estimated the cumulative incidence of TB recurrence at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years of follow-up. Bivariate analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Cox regression. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).ResultsThere were 839 patients and 24 recurrences (2.9%), representing 0.49 per 100 person-years. The probability of a recurrence was 0.63% at 1 year of follow-up, 1.35% at 2 years, and 3.69% at 5 years. The multivariate analysis showed that the predictive factors of recurrence were age older than 34 years (aHR = 3.90; CI = 1.06–14.34 at age 35–45 years and aHR = 3.88; CI = 1.02–14.80 at age >45 years) and resistance to at least one anti-TB drug (aHR = 2.91; CI = 1.11–7.65).ConclusionsAttention should be paid to socially vulnerable persons older than 34 years with a previous episode of resistant TB. Surveillance resources should be directed toward adequately treated patients who nevertheless have a high risk of recurrence.

Noncountable Tuberculosis Case Reporting, National Tuberculosis Surveillance System, United States, 2010-2014.

Supplemental federal funding is allocated to state and local tuberculosis (TB) programs using a formula that considers only countable cases reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS). Health departments submit reports of cases, which are countable unless another (US or international) jurisdiction has already counted the case or the case represents a recurrence of TB diagnosed ≤12 months after completion of treatment for a previous TB episode. Noncountable cases are a resource burden, so in 2009, NTSS began accepting noncountable case reports as an indicator of program burden. We sought to describe the volume and completeness of noncountable case reports. We analyzed 2010-2014 NTSS data to determine the number and distribution of noncountable cases reported. We also surveyed jurisdictions to determine the completeness of noncountable case reporting and obtain information on jurisdictions' experience in reporting noncountable cases. In addition, we prepared a hypothetical recalculation of the funding formula to evaluate the effect of including noncountable cases on funding allocations. Of 54 067 TB case reports analyzed, 1720 (3.2%) were noncountable; 47 of 60 (78.3%) jurisdictions reported ≥1 noncountable case. Of 60 programs surveyed, 34 (56.7%) responded. Of the 34 programs that responded, 24 (70.6%) had not reported all their noncountable cases to NTSS, and 11 (32.4%) stated that reporting noncountable cases was overly burdensome, considering the cases were not funded. Complete data on noncountable TB cases help support estimates of programmatic burden. Ongoing training and a streamlined reporting system to NTSS can facilitate noncountable case reporting.

Factors Associated with the Development of Secondary Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis.

Background:Spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a threat to India's TB control program. We conducted this study with the objective to determine the risk factors for the development of secondary multidrug-resistant TB.Methods:We conducted an unmatched case–control study involving 247 multidrug-resistant TB patients as “cases” and 494 individuals who were declared as “cured” after category I DOTS treatment as “controls.” Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and review of treatment records. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the collected data.Results:The mean duration for which cases took first-line anti-TB drug was 19.7 months. The mean duration between initial diagnosis of TB and diagnosis of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 28.3 months. In our study, 26.7%, 50.2%, and 23.1% of MDR-TB cases had one, two, or more previous episodes of TB before being diagnosed as MDR-TB. In multivariable analysis, low or no formal education (album-oriented rock [AOR] =1.63 [confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–3.11]), labor occupation (AOR = 2.15 [CI = 1.18–3.90]), smoking (AOR = 2.56 [CI = 1.19–3.26]), having HIV (AOR = 9.45 [CI = 6.80–15.9]), migration for job (AOR = 3.70 [CI = 1.96–5.67]), stopping TB treatment due to comorbid conditions (AOR = 8.86 [CI = 5.45–11.2]), and having type 2 diabetes (AOR = 3.4 [CI = 1.96–5.16]) were associated with MDR-TB.Conclusions:Government of India should devise strategy to prevent interruption of treatment to stop the emergence and spread of MDR-TB. We need to better integrate TB control activities with diabetes and tobacco control programs for better health outcome among patients.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment delay in patients co-infected with HIV in a high prevalence area in Brazil.

BackgroundWorldwide, about 11% of Tuberculosis (TB) cases occur in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and it is the leading cause of death in this population. An important step towards reducing the incidence and mortality of TB in PLHIV is to reduce the time from onset of symptoms to treatment. Factors related to TB treatment delay therefore need to be understood.MethodsUsing data from a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with TB at the National Institute of Infectious Disease, at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil we conducted a survival analysis to identify factors associated with patient and health care treatment delay. In our analysis we included patients who were co-infected with TB and HIV (n = 201). Patients were followed during the course of their TB treatment and information regarding duration of symptoms, sociodemographics and clinical characteristics were collected at the baseline visit.ResultsThe median time from onset of initial symptoms to prescription of TB treatment (total delay) was 82 days. From initiation of symptoms to first visit at INI clinic (patient delay), the median was 51 days. From first visit to initiation of treatment (health care delay) the median was 16 days. Illiteracy was associated with greater patient delay [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.25, CI 95% 1.29–3.94]. Having had a previous episode of TB (HR = 0.53, CI 95% 0.37–0.74) and being married (HR = 0.71, CI 95% 0.54–0.94) were inversely related to patient delay. Illiteracy was also associated with greater health care delay (HR = 2.83, CI 95% 1.25–5.47) in contrast to high viral load (HR = 0.37, CI 95% 0.24–0.54) and weight loss greater than 10% (HR = 0.54, CI 95% 0.37–0.8), both of which were inversely related to health care delay.ConclusionsThis study highlights the existence of factors that lead to greater risk of delayed treatment of TB among patients co-infected with HIV and TB. These include factors that can be assessed through targeted interventions which have implications for improving treatment outcomes and, through reduced duration of infectiousness, reduce the incidence of TB in Brazil.

Acquired Resistance to Antituberculosis Drugs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 2000-2015.

Among tuberculosis (TB) patients, acquired resistance to anti-TB drugs represents a failure in the treatment pathway. To improve diagnosis and care for patients with drug-resistant TB, we examined the epidemiology and risk factors associated with acquired drug resistance during 2000–2015 among TB patients in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We found acquired resistance in 0.2% (158/67,710) of patients with culture-confirmed TB. Using multivariate logistic regression, we identified the following factors associated with acquired drug resistance: having pulmonary disease; initial resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, or both; a previous TB episode; and being born in China or South Africa. Treatment outcomes were worse for patients with than without acquired resistance. Although acquired resistance is rare in the study area, certain patient groups are at higher risk. Identifying these patients and ensuring that adequate resources are available for treatment may prevent acquisition of resistance, thereby limiting transmission of drug-resistant strains of mycobacteria.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in a group of patients newly diagnosed with active tuberculosis in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND Porto Alegre is the Brazilian state capital with second highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and the highest proportion of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among patients with TB. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity, which may result in discontinuation of the therapy.OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was (i) to estimate prevalence of HCV and HIV in a group of patients newly diagnosed with active TB in a public reference hospital in Porto Alegre and (ii) to compare demographic, behavioural, and clinical characteristics of patients in relation to their HCV infection status.METHODS One hundred and thirty-eight patients with TB were tested for anti-HCV antibody, HCV RNA, and anti-HIV1/2 antibody markers. HCV RNA from real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive samples was submitted to reverse transcription and PCR amplification. The 5′ non-coding region of the HCV genome was sequenced, and genotypes of HCV isolates were determined.FINDINGS Anti-HCV antibody, HCV RNA, and anti-HIV antibodies were detected in 27 [20%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13-26%], 17 (12%; 95% CI, 7-18%), and 34 (25%; 95% CI, 17-32%) patients, respectively. HCV isolates belonged to genotypes 1 (n = 12) and 3 (n = 4). Some characteristics were significantly more frequent in patients infected with HCV. Among them, non-white individuals, alcoholics, users of illicit drugs, imprisoned individuals, and those with history of previous TB episode were more commonly infected with HCV (p < 0.05).MAIN CONCLUSIONS HCV screening, including detection of anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA, will be important to improving the management of co-infected patients, given their increased risk of developing TB treatment-related hepatotoxicity.

Double trouble: tuberculosis and substance abuse in Nagaland, India.

The diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in people who use and/or inject illicit drugs (PWUIDs) remains a barrier to achieving universal coverage for TB in India and globally. This report describes treatment outcomes in PWUIDs who received treatment for drug-susceptible TB at the Mon District Hospital in Nagaland, India, during 2012-2013. The median age of the patients was 39 years, and most (92%) were male. Two thirds (33/49) of the patients had a successful TB treatment outcome. A previous TB episode and residence in a semi-urban area were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Separate diagnostic and treatment algorithms, including regular adherence counselling and opioid substitution therapies, should be considered for PWUIDs.

Results of the implementation of a pilot model for the bidirectional screening and joint management of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus in Mexico.

BackgroundRecently, the World Health Organisation and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease published a Collaborative Framework for the Care and Control of Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes (DM) (CFTB/DM) proposing bidirectional screening and joint management.ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the CFTB/DM in Mexico. Design. Prospective observational cohort. Setting. 15 primary care units in 5 states in Mexico. Participants: Patients aged ≥20 years diagnosed with DM or pulmonary TB who sought care at participating clinics. Intervention: The WHO/Union CFTB/DM was adapted and implemented according to official Mexican guidelines. We recruited participants from July 2012 to April 2013 and followed up until March 2014. Bidirectional screening was performed. Patients diagnosed with TB and DM were invited to receive TB treatment under joint management. Main outcome measures. Diagnoses of TB among DM, of DM among TB, and treatment outcomes among patients with DM and TB.ResultsOf 783 DM patients, 11 (1.4%) were unaware of their TB. Of 361 TB patients, 16 (4.4%) were unaware of their DM. 95 TB/DM patients accepted to be treated under joint management, of whom 85 (89.5%) successfully completed treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis with change in HbA1c and random capillary glucose as dependent variables revealed significant decrease with time (regression coefficients (β) = −0.660, (95% confidence interval (CI), −0.96 to −0.35); and β = −1.889 (95% CI, −2.77 to −1.01, respectively)) adjusting by sex, age and having been treated for a previous TB episode. Patients treated under joint management were more likely to experience treatment success than patients treated under routine DM and TB programs as compared to historical (adjusted OR (aOR), 2.8, 95%CI 1.28–6.13) and same period (aOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.13–4.96) comparison groups.ConclusionsJoint management of TB and DM is feasible and appears to improve clinical outcomes.

Smoking increases risk of recurrence after successful anti-tuberculosis treatment: a population-based study

To investigate whether tobacco smoking increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) recurrence and identify factors associated with TB recurrence among adults who had successfully completed anti-tuberculosis treatment in Taipei, Taiwan. Recurrence was defined as a new clinical or microbiological diagnosis of TB requiring the start of a new course of treatment in a patient who had satisfactorily completed treatment for a previous TB episode. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for recurrence. We followed 5567 adults for recurrence after successful anti-tuberculosis treatment. The mean age was 58.5 years; 62.9% were male. Overall, 84 (1.5%) had a recurrence of TB during follow-up. The incidence of TB recurrence was 4.9 episodes/1000 person-years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression showed that after controlling for other variables, the risk of TB recurrence among subjects who smoked >10 cigarettes a day was double that of never/former smokers. Other independent risk factors significantly associated with TB recurrence were homelessness (aHR 3.75, 95%CI 1.17-12.07), presence of comorbidities (aHR 2.66, 95%CI 1.22-5.79) and a positive acid-fast bacilli smear (aHR 2.27, 95%CI 1.47-3.49). Smoking >10 cigarettes a day was significantly associated with TB recurrence. To reduce the risk of recurrence, we recommend including effective measures of smoking cessation in TB control programmes, as recommended by the World Health Organization Stop TB Strategy.

Transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the USA: a cross-sectional study

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis is a potential threat to tuberculosis elimination, but the extent of MDR tuberculosis disease in the USA that is attributable to transmission within the country is unknown. We assessed transmission of MDR tuberculosis and potential contributing factors in the USA. In a cross-sectional study, clinical, demographic, epidemiological, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype data were obtained during routine surveillance of all verified cases of MDR tuberculosis reported from eight states in the USA (California from Jan 1, 2007, to Dec 31, 2009; Texas from Jan 1, 2007, to March 31, 2009; and the states of Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Washington from Jan 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008). In-depth interviews and health-record abstraction were done for all who consented to ascertain potential interpersonal connections. 168 cases of MDR tuberculosis were reported in the eight states during our study period. 92 individuals (55%) consented to in-depth interview. 20 (22%) of these individuals developed MDR tuberculosis as a result of transmission in the USA; a source case was identified for eight of them (9%). 20 individuals (22%) had imported active tuberculosis (ie, culture-confirmed disease within 3 months of entry into the USA). 38 (41%) were deemed to have reactivation of disease, of whom 14 (15%) had a known previous episode of tuberculosis outside the USA. Five individuals (5%) had documented treatment of a previous episode in the USA, and so were deemed to have relapsed. For nine cases (10%), insufficient evidence was available to definitively classify reason for presentation. About a fifth of cases of MDR tuberculosis in the USA can be linked to transmission within the country. Many individuals acquire MDR tuberculosis before entry into the USA. MDR tuberculosis needs to be diagnosed rapidly to reduce potential infectious periods, and clinicians should consider latent tuberculosis infection treatment-tailored to the results of drug susceptibility testing of the putative source case-for exposed individuals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Epidemiology of recurrent tuberculosis in the United States, 1993–2010 [Short communication

Recurrent tuberculosis (TB) can result from reactivation of a previous TB episode or reinfection with a new Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain. A retrospective analysis of all recurrent TB cases reported in the United States during 1993-2010 was conducted. The proportion of recurrent cases remained stable during the study period (annual range 4.2-5.7%). Compared with persons without a previous diagnosis of TB, persons with recurrent TB experienced lower treatment completion within 12 months and higher mortality during the recurrent episode. Persons with recurrent TB have poorer outcomes, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to ensure treatment completion.

High Rates of Recurrence in HIV‐Infected and HIV‐Uninfected Patients with Tuberculosis

The rate of recurrent tuberculosis disease due to reinfection, compared with the incidence of new tuberculosis, in those with and without HIV infection is not known. In a retrospective cohort study of South African gold miners, men with known dates of seroconversion to HIV (from 1991 to 1997) and HIV-negative men were followed up to 2004. Rates of tuberculosis recurrence >2 years after the first episode were used as a proxy for reinfection disease rates. Among 342 HIV-positive and 321 HIV-negative men who had had 1 previous episode of tuberculosis, rates of recurrence were 19.7 cases per 100 person-years at risk (PYAR; 95% confidence interval [CI], 16.4-23.7) and 7.7 cases per 100 PYAR (95% CI, 6.1-9.8), respectively. The recurrence rate did not vary by duration of HIV infection. Recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis rates >2 years after the first episode were 24.4 cases per 100 PYAR (95% CI, 17.2-34.8) in HIV-positive men and 4.3 cases per 100 PYAR (95% CI, 2.2-8.3) in HIV-negative men, compared with incidence rates of new pulmonary tuberculosis of 3.7 cases per 100 PYAR (95% CI, 3.3-4.1) in HIV-positive men and 0.75 cases per 100 PYAR (95% CI, 0.67-0.84) in HIV-negative men in the same cohort. Tuberculosis recurrence rates, likely due to reinfection, were much higher than incidence rates. The findings suggest heterogeneity in susceptibility, implying that a vaccine could still provide useful protection in the population and strengthening the case for secondary preventive therapy.

Type 2 diabetes and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

The association between tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes is re-emerging with the epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We analyzed retrospective data from 2878 TB patients across the Texas/Mexico border. Overall, 161/2878 (5.6%) patients had MDR TB (resistance to rifampin and isoniazid): Texas 49/1442 (3.4%) and Mexico 112/1436 (7.8%). In Texas, MDR TB was significantly associated with T2DM (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.2) when adjusted for age, gender, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV infection and history of previous episode of TB; and in Mexico (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.1-2.9) when adjusted for age and gender. Patients with T2DM in both countries were more likely to be compliant with DOTS therapy (Texas: OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.4) than patients without T2DM. In Texas, all but 3 of the T2DM patients with MDR TB were resistant at their first culture at the time of diagnosis. It is possible that impaired immunity in T2DM increases susceptibility to infection with resistant strains.

Risk factors for active tuberculosis in adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Africa

In a recent limited article we reported that a past history of tuberculosis (TB) at HAART initiation was significantly associated with the risk of active TB in adults on HAART in Cote dIvoire. In another recent excellent study Lawn and colleagues did not find such an association in South African adults. This striking difference deserves further discussion. In our study 25% of patients had a past history of TB at HAART initiation and 50% of the previous TB episodes were diagnosed more than 3 years prior to enrolment. In the study by Lawn and colleagues only 14% of patients had a TB history at baseline and 50% of the previous TB episodes were diagnosed within the 13 months prior to enrolment. Thus we wonder if some previous episodes of TB could have been missed particularly among the remotest ones. In sub-Saharan Africa underreport of previous episodes is a well-known cause of TB recurrence underestimation. As TB recurrence may vary over time under-documenting the oldest pastepisodes compared with the most recent ones could introduce a major bias in the analyses looking at the association between TB history and TB occurrence during HAART. (excerpt)

Relapse and recurrent tuberculosis in the context of a National Tuberculosis Control Programme

The proportion of patients with recurrent tuberculosis (TB) is reported to be increased in TB patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after they have completed treatment. Despite rising HIV seroprevalence amongst TB patients in Malawi, notifications of patients with relapse smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB) and recurrent smear-negative TB have remained stable during the past 12 years. We suspected that patients with recurrent or relapse TB were being missed under routine programme conditions. Forty-three hospitals in Malawi were visited in 1999, and TB inpatients who had been registered as ‘new’ cases in the TB register and treatment card were interviewed about previous episodes of TB. A previous history of TB was elicited in 94 (7·5%) of 1254 patients who were being treated as new cases. Compared with patients with smear-positive PTB, a previous episode of TB was significantly more common in patients with smear-negative PTB (OR 3·5, [95% CI 2·1–5·7], P < 0·001) and patients with extrapulmonary TB (OR 2·0, [95% CI 1·1–3·7], P < 0·05). Of 94 patients with a previous episode of TB, 76 had completed treatment and 18 had defaulted from treatment during this episode. Patients with recurrent or relapse TB are being incorrectly registered within the Malawi TB Control Programme, and in the case of smear-positive PTB patients this is associated with administration of incorrect treatment. Measures have been put in place to rectify the situation, and further operational research is planned to monitor treatment outcomes of patients with recurrent smear-negative TB.

Resistencia de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en Zaragoza (1993–1997) y factores asociados

To know the frequency of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a general hospital and the related factors. Transversal study of the sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Hospital Miguel Servet (Zaragoza, Spain) between 1993-1997; the proportions method was used to study the susceptibility. Statistical analysis of conventional tests and significance level at p < 0.05 were performed. Four hundred and twenty height patients with culture-positive to Mycobacterium tuberculosis were studied; 136 (31.8%) were HIV+, 121 (28.3%) were HIV and in 171 (39.9%) this situation was unknown. In 47 patients (10.9%) the strains isolated were resistant at least to one drug. Primary resistance was 5.9% (22 patients) and acquired resistance was 42.4% (25 patients). Primary resistance in HIV+ patients was 9. 2% and in HIV patients was 7.5%; acquired resistance in HIV+ patients was greater than in HIV patients (51.8% vs 42.8%). When we compared the resistances between both HIV+ and HIV patients we did not find significant differences. Twenty isolates (4.7%) were resistant to more than one drug and 10 (2.3%) were resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin. The risk factors for acquired resistance were alcohol (odds ratio [OR] = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.24-5.65), drugs users (OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.05-5.17), previous episodes of tuberculosis (OR = 109.40; 95% CI, 15.02-796.43) and homeless (OR = 3.75; 95% CI, 1.26-11.17); we did not find significant differences between the different risk factors according to primary resistance. On one study, the resistance of M. tuberculosis is similar to other described in Spain. We haven't found significant differences between both seropositive and seronegative patients. The risk factors for acquired resistance were alcoholism, drug users, previous episodes of tuberculosis and homeless.

Drug resistance patterns among tuberculosis patients in Rome, 1990-1992.

Prevalence of, and risk factors for, drug-resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were assessed among 407 hospitalized patients with tuberculosis in Rome, Italy, during the period 1990-1992. Resistance to 1 or more drugs was detected in 106 isolates (26%). Resistance to streptomycin was the most common (18.4%), followed by isoniazid (10.3%) and rifampin (7.9%). 23 isolates (5.7%) were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin. Resistance to at least 1 drug and resistance to both isoniazid and rifampin were significantly more common among recurrent cases (40.7% vs. 22.1%, p < 0.001; and 22.1% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001). Sex, country of origin and HIV infection were not significantly associated with prevalence of drug resistance. Among recurrent cases, prevalence of resistance to at least 1 drug and of resistance to both isoniazid and rifampin, was higher in subjects who had had a previous episode of tuberculosis later than 1969. In the population studied the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis was high, although the risk of initially becoming infected with a multidrug-resistant strain of M. tuberculosis in this area appears to be low. This study suggests the need for enhanced surveillance of drug-resistance of tuberculosis in our country and for implementation of intervention aimed to ensure adequate and complete therapy for patients with tuberculosis.

Recurrent tuberculosis: why do patients develop disease again? A United States Public Health Service cooperative survey.

In October 1983, a retrospective survey was initiated to determine if patients reported to the Centers for Disease Control as having recurrent tuberculosis truly had recurrent disease and, if so, why they had developed tuberculosis again. Twenty-three health jurisdictions provided information on 800 patients diagnosed as having recurrent tuberculosis during 1981 and 1982. We found that 199 (25 per cent) of the cases did not meet the criteria for recurrent disease. Of the remaining 601 recurrent cases, 20 per cent had no chemotherapy prescribed for their previous episodes of tuberculosis, 20 per cent were prescribed inadequate or inappropriate therapy, and 33 per cent were not compliant with their prescribed therapy regimens. Patients who, during their original episode of tuberculosis, received the major portion of their medical care from physicians in private practice were more compliant than those treated by other health care providers. However, those same patients were more likely to have received inappropriate therapy than patients treated by other providers. Better patient and physician education, closer monitoring, and greater use of preventive therapy and directly observed therapy are necessary to resolve these problems.