Risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Central African Republic: A case-control study

Tuberculosis mortality and drug resistance among patients under TB treatment before and during COVID-19 in Burundi: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) experience has underscored the consequences of inequalities in health and access to health services across and within countries. Vulnerable population groups have been disproportionately exposed to certain diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) due to service interruptions. The current study aimed to assess TB related mortality and risk of drug resistance during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Burundi.

METHODS

We conducted an incident case-control study on 362 TB patients, with 181 multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients and 181 drug susceptible TB (DS-TB) patients. These patients under TB treatment between July 11, 2018, and November 11,2022 (18 months before and 18 months during COVID-19). Baseline and drug susceptibility status data were captured at treatment initiation. Mortality during treatment follow-up TB mortality was compared between categories of drug susceptibility, period (before vs during COVID-19) and regimen phase. A multivariate logistic regression was used to show the predictive risk factors. K-Fold cross-validation was used to evaluate the final model.

RESULTS

A half of TB patients was under 40 years old, with majority of them being unemployed, malnourished and lacking food support during TB treatment. Most of them lived in precarious conditions with limited access to healthcare services. The overall TB-related mortality was 16.0% (95% CI: 12.5%- 20.3%) with 15.5% (95%CI: 10.7%-21.8%) in MDR-TB patients and 16.6% (95% CI: 11.6%-22.9%) in DS-TB patients. Stratified by the period, TB related mortality was 15.3% (95%CI: 11.7%-20.9%) before the COVID-19 pandemic and 17.1% (95%C 11.5%-24.6%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a half of deaths in TB patients occurred during intensive phase of treatment. The risk of MDR-TB was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among patients undergoing treatment during the pandemic, those with a low education level, living in rural areas, unemployed, using public transportation, or living in overcrowded households (big family size,a small number of rooms). Additionally, patients with history of TB, previous treatment failure, and close contact with MDR-TB patients were more likely to have MDR-TB. The likelihood of MDR-TB further increased with the cumulative presence of these risk factors on the same TB patient.

CONCLUSION

TB mortality increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among MDR-TB patients. The odds of MDR-TB encompass a range of socio demographic and clinical factors particularly among economically disadvantaged patients. These findings underscore the need for targeted equity-driven interventions in high-risked populations, especially in the context of emerging outbreaks, in order accelerate TB elimination goals. Additional investigation on TB related mortality should focus on the intensive phase of treatment, which aligns with the 2025 World Health Organization consolidated guidelines on TB diagnosis and control.

Risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a predictive model study

Objective

To investigate the risk factors associated with Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in people with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and develop a predictive model.

Methods

A total of 893 individuals with DR-TB treated at Wenzhou Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were included in the study after excluding 178 individuals with incomplete clinical and laboratory data, leaving 715 individuals for analysis. Data on demographic information, baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging results, and clinical diagnosis were collected to identify the risk factors for MDR-TB and establish a predictive model.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified residence in rural areas, retreatment of TB, presence of pulmonary cavity, uric acid (UA) ≥ 346 μmol/L and c-reactive protein (CRP) < 37.3 mg/L as independent risk factors for MDR-TB in individuals with DR-TB. A nomogram model was constructed using these five factors to predict the risk of MDR-TB, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.758 for the training group and 0.775 for the validation group. Calibration curve analysis showed good agreement between predicted and actual MDR-TB incidence in both groups, and decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram model had a higher rate of clinical net benefit.

Conclusion

This study suggests that residence, types of TB treatment, presence of pulmonary cavity, UA and CRP are associated with MDR-TB occurrence in individuals with DR-TB, and the nomogram model developed in this study shows promising predictive value.

Collaboration for implementation of decentralisation policy of multi drug-resistant tuberculosis services in Zambia

BACKGROUND

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) infections are a public health concern. Since 2017, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Zambia, in collaboration with its partners, has been implementing decentralised MDR-TB services to address the limited community access to treatment. This study sought to explore the role of collaboration in the implementation of decentralised multi drug-resistant tuberculosis services in Zambia.

METHODS

A qualitative case study design was conducted in selected provinces in Zambia using in-depth and key informant interviews as data collection methods. We conducted a total of 112 interviews involving 18 healthcare workers, 17 community health workers, 32 patients and 21 caregivers in healthcare facilities located in 10 selected districts. Additionally, 24 key informant interviews were conducted with healthcare workers managers at facility, district, provincial, and national-levels. Thematic analysis was employed guided by the Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance.

FINDINGS

The principled engagement was shaped by the global health agenda/summit meeting influence on the decentralisation of TB, engagement of stakeholders to initiate decentralisation, a supportive policy environment for the decentralisation process and guidelines and quarterly clinical expert committee meetings. The factors that influenced the shared motivation for the introduction of MDR-TB decentralisation included actors having a common understanding, limited access to health facilities and emergency transport services, a shared understanding of challenges in providing optimal patient monitoring and review and their appreciation of the value of evidence-based decision-making in the implementation of MDR- TB decentralisation. The capacity for joint action strategies included MoH initiating strategic partnerships in enhancing MDR-TB decentralisation, the role of leadership in organising training of healthcare workers and of multidisciplinary teams, inadequate coordination, supervision and monitoring of laboratory services and joint action in health infrastructural rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Principled engagement facilitated the involvement of various stakeholders, the dissemination of relevant policies and guidelines and regular quarterly meetings of clinical expert committees to ensure ongoing support and guidance. A shared motivation among actors was underpinned by a common understanding of the barriers faced while implementing decentralisation efforts. The capacity for joint action was demonstrated through several key strategies, however, challenges such as inadequate coordination, supervision and monitoring of laboratory services, as well as the need for collaborative efforts in health infrastructural rehabilitation were observed. Overall, collaboration has facilitated the creation of a more responsive and comprehensive TB care system, addressing the critical needs of patients and improving health outcomes.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: latest opinions on epidemiology, rapid diagnosis and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review addresses the escalating global challenge of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on its complex comorbidity with HIV/AIDS. Emphasizing the urgency of the issue, the review aims to shed light on the unique healthcare landscape shaped by the convergence of high prevalence rates and intersecting complexities with HIV/AIDS in the region.

RECENT FINDINGS

A notable increase in MDR-TB cases across Sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to challenges in timely diagnoses, treatment initiation, and patient treatment defaulting. The literature underscores the critical need for proactive measures to address diagnostic and treatment gaps associated with MDR-TB, particularly concerning its comorbidity with HIV/AIDS.

SUMMARY

To effectively manage MDR-TB and its co-morbidity with HIV/AIDS, proactive screening programs are imperative. The review highlights the necessity of active follow-up strategies to ensure treatment adherence and reduce default rates, offering evidence-based insights for improved disease management in the region.