Treatment outcomes for HIV and MDR-TB co-infected adults and children: systematic review and meta-analysis

Relationship between HIV viral suppression and multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes

The impact of HIV viral suppression on multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment outcomes among people with HIV (PWH) has not been clearly established. Using secondary data from a cluster-randomized clinical trial among people with MDR-TB in South Africa, we examined the effects of HIV viral suppression at MDR-TB treatment initiation and throughout treatment on MDR-TB outcomes among PWH using multinomial regression. This analysis included 1479 PWH. Viral suppression (457, 30.9%), detectable viral load (524, 35.4%), or unknown viral load (498, 33.7%) at MDR-TB treatment initiation were almost evenly distributed. Having a detectable HIV viral load at MDR-TB treatment initiation significantly increased risk of death compared to those virally suppressed (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.11-4.07). Among 673 (45.5%) PWH with a known viral load at MDR-TB outcome, 194 (28.8%) maintained suppression, 267 (39.7%) became suppressed, 94 (14.0%) became detectable, and 118 (17.5%) were never suppressed. Those who became detectable (RRR 11.50, 95% CI 1.98-66.65) or were never suppressed (RRR 9.28, 95% CI 1.53-56.61) were at significantly increased risk of death (RRR 6.37, 95% CI 1.58-25.70), treatment failure (RRR 4.54, 95% CI 1.35-15.24), and loss to follow-up (RRR 7.00, 95% CI 2.83-17.31; RRR 2.97, 95% CI 1.02-8.61) compared to those who maintained viral suppression. Lack of viral suppression at MDR-TB treatment initiation and failure to achieve or maintain viral suppression during MDR-TB treatment drives differences in MDR-TB outcomes. Early intervention to support access and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among PWH should be prioritized to improve MDR-TB treatment outcomes.

Evaluation of treatment outcomes among adult patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Ghana: A 10 year retrospective review

Objectives

The study determined tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes in Southern Ghana from 2012 to 2021.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of service data on TB cases was conducted. Treatment success was defined as TB cure or completion of treatment course, whereas unsuccessful outcomes was defined as death, failure of treatment and lost to follow up. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with treatment outcomes.

Results

A total of 4106 adult TB cases were reported with a median age of 41 (interquartile range 32-52) years. Of these, 93.1% (n = 3823) were newly diagnosed. The treatment success rate declined from 71.0% in 2012 to 55.7% in 2021 (ktau-b = -0.56, P = 0.0318). Clinically diagnosed TB and extra-pulmonary TB had 7.0% (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-1.00) and 24.0% (aPR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69-0.84) respectively, less successful treatment outcome compared to pulmonary TB patients. HIV negative status was associated with 22% higher successful treatment outcome compared with being HIV positive (aPR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33).

Conclusion

Tuberculosis treatment success rate declined over the period. There is a need for the TB Control Programme to review the national and sub-national TB data to ascertain poor performing TB treatment sites to identify and address context specific challenges with treatment interventions and system inadequacies to improve treatment success rates.

Survival status and risk factors for mortality among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A retrospective follow-up study

Background

Tuberculosis continues to be a major health concern around the world. It kills an estimated 1.6 million people each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) removed Ethiopia from its list of thirty countries having a high prevalence of MDR/RR-TB in 2021. As a result, the aim of this study was to assess the current context of survival status and risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2022.

Methods

An institutional-based retrospective cohort study with 245 patients was undertaken using multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients who were recruited from January 1st, 2018 to December 30th, 2021, in St. Peter's specialized hospital. To find independent predictors of survival status, Cox regression analysis was used. An adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of < 0.05 was used to establish association and statistical significance.

Results

The result of the study revealed that the incidence of mortality in this study was 13.1% (95% CI: 10.3-16.5). Moreover, being male (AOR = 3.7: 95% CI = 1.2, 11.4), old age (AOR = 14: 95% CI = 3.0, 60.4), site of TB (AOR = 0.2: 95% CI = 0.03, 0.6), and presence of comorbidity (AOR = 9.2: 95% CI = 2.4, 35.3), were independent predictors of time to death.

Conclusion

Generally, the death rate among research participants was high. Moreover, male gender, old age, site of tuberculosis, and presence of other comorbidity were predictors of mortality among MDR-TB patients.

Adaptive evaluation of mHealth and conventional adherence support interventions to optimize outcomes with new treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV in South Africa (ADAP-TIV): study protocol for an adaptive randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Highly effective, short-course, bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing fixed dose combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) have radically transformed treatment for MDR-TB and HIV. However, without advances in adherence support, we may not realize the full potential of these therapeutics. The primary objective of this study is to compare the effect of adherence support interventions on clinical and biological endpoints using an adaptive randomized platform.

METHODS

This is a prospective, adaptive, randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of four adherence support strategies on a composite clinical outcome in adults with MDR-TB and HIV initiating bedaquiline-containing MDR-TB treatment regimens and receiving ART in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Trial arms include (1) enhanced standard of care, (2) psychosocial support, (3) mHealth using cellular-enabled electronic dose monitoring, and (4) combined mHealth and psychosocial support. The level of support will be titrated using a differentiated service delivery (DSD)-informed assessment of treatment support needs. The composite primary outcome will include survival, negative TB culture, retention in care, and undetectable HIV viral load at month 12. Secondary outcomes will include individual components of the primary outcome and quantitative evaluation of adherence on TB and HIV treatment outcomes.

DISCUSSION

This trial will evaluate the contribution of different modes of adherence support on MDR-TB and HIV outcomes with WHO-recommended all-oral MDR-TB regimens and ART in a high-burden operational setting. We will also assess the utility of a DSD framework to pragmatically adjust levels of MDR-TB and HIV treatment support.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05633056. Registered on 1 December 2022.

Prolonged survival of a patient with active MDR-TB HIV co-morbidity: insights from a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain with a unique genomic deletion

Coinfection of HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents significant challenges in terms of the treatment and prognosis of tuberculosis, leading to complexities in managing the disease and impacting the overall outcome for TB patients. This study presents a remarkable case of a patient with MDR-TB and HIV coinfection who survived for over 8 years, despite poor treatment adherence and comorbidities. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the infecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strain revealed a unique genomic deletion, spanning 18 genes, including key genes involved in hypoxia response, intracellular survival, immunodominant antigens, and dormancy. This deletion, that we have called "Del-X," potentially exerts a profound influence on the bacterial physiology and its virulence. Only few similar deletions were detected in other non-related Mtb genomes worldwide. In vivo evolution analysis identified drug resistance and metabolic adaptation mutations and their temporal dynamics during the patient's treatment course.

Factors associated with loss to follow-up before and after treatment initiation among patients with tuberculosis: A 5-year observation in China

Background

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) is a significant barrier to the completion of anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment and a major predictor of TB-associated deaths. Currently, research on LTFU-related factors in China is both scarce and inconsistent.

Methods

We collected information from the TB observation database of the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases. The data of all patients who were documented as LTFU were assessed retrospectively and compared with those of patients who were not LTFU. Descriptive epidemiology and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with LTFU.

Results

A total of 24,265 TB patients were included in the analysis. Of them, 3,046 were categorized as LTFU, including 678 who were lost before treatment initiation and 2,368 who were lost afterwards. The previous history of TB was independently associated with LTFU before treatment initiation. Having medical insurance, chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, and providing an alternative contact were independent predictive factors for LTFU after treatment initiation.

Conclusion

Loss to follow-up is frequent in the management of patients with TB and can be predicted using patients' treatment history, clinical characteristics, and socioeconomic factors. Our research illustrates the importance of early assessment and intervention after diagnosis. Targeted measures can improve patient engagement and ultimately treatment adherence, leading to better health outcomes and disease control.

A Case of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis and HIV Co-Infection

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) infection is a public health concern in the United States. Mycobacterium tuberculosisantimicrobial resistance is a global public health concern. We present a case of a young man from Venezuela who presented to a hospital in New York and was newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis. His TB isolate was found to be resistant to multiple anti-TB drugs, presenting unusual challenges in treating multidrug-resistant TB with HIV co-infection.

Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB) and Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB) Among Children: Where We Stand Now

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has continued to be a global health cataclysm. It is an arduous condition to tackle but is curable with the proper choice of drug and adherence to the drug therapy. WHO has introduced newer drugs with all-oral shorter regimens, but the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the achievements and raised the severity. The COVID-19 controlling mechanism is based on social distancing, using face masks, personal protective equipment, medical glove, head shoe cover, face shield, goggles, hand hygiene, and many more. Around the globe, national and international health authorities impose lockdown and movement control orders to ensure social distancing and prevent transmission of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, WHO proposed a TB control program impaired during a pandemic. Children, the most vulnerable group, suffer more from the drug-resistant form and act as the storehouse of future fatal cases. It has dire effects on physical health and hampers their mental health and academic career. Treatment of drug-resistant cases has more success stories in children than adults, but enrollment for treatment has been persistently low in this age group. Despite that, drug-resistant childhood tuberculosis has been neglected, and proper surveillance has not yet been achieved. Insufficient reporting, lack of appropriate screening tools for children, less accessibility to the treatment facility, inadequate awareness, and reduced funding for TB have worsened the situation. All these have resulted in jeopardizing our dream to terminate this deadly condition. So, it is high time to focus on this issue to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the goal of ending TB by 2030, as planned by WHO. This review explores childhood TB's current position and areas to improve. This review utilized electronic-based data searched through PubMed, Google Scholar, Google Search Engine, Science Direct, and Embase.

Impacts of clofazimine on the treatment outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of clofazimine on drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE databases to identify eligible studies published up to July 10, 2021. The search terms were as follows: "clofazimine," "tuberculosis," "multidrug resistant tuberculosis" or "extensively drug resistant tuberculosis" and their synonyms or similar words. Two researchers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts for inclusion. Meta-analysis was performed with Stata version 16.0 (Stata Corp., College Station, Texas, USA). Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated to evaluate the treatment outcome.

RESULTS

Eight studies including 3219 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that the rates of treatment completion was higher in patients receiving clofazimine-containing regimens than in those not receiving clofazimine-containing regimens (RR: 1.185 (1.060-1.325), P = 0.003). Significant reduction in treatment failure (RR: 0.598 (0.473-0.756), P < 0.001) was found in the clofazimine treatment group. The subgroup analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found a higher rates of favorable outcomes, treatment completion and cure in the clofazimine group than in the control group (RR: 1.203 (1.029-1.407), P = 0.020; RR: 3.167 (2.043-4.908), P < 0.001; and RR: 1.251 (1.031-1.518), P = 0.023, respectively). Patients receiving clofazimine had a lower risk of treatment failure than those not receiving clofazimine (RR: 0.529 (0.454-0.616), P < 0.001). However, clofazimine treatment did not have a statistically significant effect on all-cause mortality in RCTs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that compared with patients who do not receive clofazimine, this drug has the potential to achieve a higher favorable outcome, treatment completion and cure rates, and a lower treatment failure risk among drug-resistant tuberculosis cases.

Bedaquiline and Linezolid improve anti-TB treatment outcome in drug-resistant TB patients with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the effect of second-line anti-TB treatment and determine which drugs can achieve the greatest clinical benefit for DR-TB-HIV patients by comparing multiple chemotherapy regimens, to provide a basis for evidence-based practice.

METHODS

We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane) for related English studies published since 2010. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled result for the treatment outcomes. Subgroup analysis based on possible factors, such as ART, baseline CD4 T-cell count, treatment regimens, and profiles of drug resistance, was also conducted to assess factors for favorable outcome. Outcomes were treatment success and mortality.

RESULTS

38 studies, 40 cohorts with 9279 patients were included. The pooled treatment success, mortality, treatment failure, and default rates were 57.5 % (95 % CI 53.1-61.9), 21 % (95 % CI 17.8-24.6), 4.8 % (95 % CI 3.5-6.5), and 10.7 % (95 % CI 8.7-13.1), respectively, in patients with DR-TB and HIV co-infection. Subgroup analysis showed that BDQ and LZD based regimen, and ≥ 2 Group A drugs were associated with a higher treatment success rate. Besides, higher CD4 T-cell count at baseline was also correlated with higher treatment success rate, too.

CONCLUSIONS

Suboptimal anti-TB outcomes underlining the need to expand the application of effective drugs and better regimen in high HIV setting. BDQ and LZD based all-oral regimen and early ART could contribute to higher treatment success, particularly among XDR-TB-HIV patients. Given that all included studies were observational, our findings emphasize the need for high-quality studies to further investigate the optimal treatment regimen for DR-TB-HIV.

Treatment Outcomes Among Pregnant Patients With Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

The management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) during pregnancy is challenging, yet no systematic synthesis of evidence has accurately measured treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically synthesize treatment outcomes and adverse events among pregnant patients with MDR-TB.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest were searched from the inception of each database through August 31, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies containing cohorts of pregnant patients with a defined treatment outcome were eligible.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Independent reviewers screened studies and assessed the risk of bias. The study followed the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses reporting guideline. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models. The sources of heterogeneity were explored through metaregression.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with each treatment outcome (including treatment success, death, loss to follow-up, and treatment failure), and the secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients experiencing adverse events during pregnancy.

RESULTS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 10 studies containing 275 pregnant patients with available data on treatment outcomes were included. The pooled estimate was 72.5% (95% CI, 63.3%-81.0%) for treatment success, 6.8% (95% CI, 2.6%-12.4%) for death, 18.4% (95% CI, 13.1%-24.2%) for loss to follow-up, and 0.6% (95% CI, 0.0%-2.9%) for treatment failure. Treatment success was significantly higher in studies in which the proportion of patients taking linezolid was greater than the median (20.1%) compared with studies in which this proportion was lower than the median (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.42). More than half of the pregnant patients (54.7%; 95% CI, 43.5%-65.4%) experienced at least 1 type of adverse event, most commonly liver function impairment (30.4%; 95% CI, 17.7%-45.7%), kidney function impairment (14.9%; 95% CI, 6.2%-28.3%), hypokalemia (11.9%; 95% CI, 3.9%-25.6%), hearing loss (11.8%; 95% CI, 5.5%-21.3%), gastrointestinal disorders (11.8%; 95% CI, 5.2%-21.8%), psychiatric disorders (9.1%; 95% CI, 2.5%-21.6%), or anemia (8.9%; 95% CI, 3.6%-17.4%). The pooled proportion of favorable pregnancy outcomes was 73.2% (95% CI, 49.4%-92.1%). The most common types of adverse pregnancy outcomes were preterm birth (9.5%; 95% CI, 0.0%-29.0%), pregnancy loss (6.0%; 95% CI, 1.3%-12.9%), low birth weight (3.9%; 95% CI, 0.0%-18.7%), and stillbirth (1.9%; 95% CI, 0.1%-5.1%). Most of the studies had low-quality (3 studies) or medium-quality (4 studies) scores.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, high treatment success and favorable pregnancy outcomes were reported among pregnant patients with MDR-TB. Further research is needed to design shorter, more effective, and safer treatment regimens for pregnant patients with MDR-TB.

Recurrent pneumothorax in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a rare case of bronchopleural fistula: a case report

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis coinfections have amplified the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis pandemic in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has become a major public health threat. There is a paucity of data on severe complications of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the context of human immunodeficiency virus coinfection despite the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection and the complexity of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment. This report describes a rare case of complicated multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive individual.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive Ugandan male on anti-retroviral therapy for 6 years, who had recently completed treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis from a public hospital, presented to the tuberculosis ward of Mulago National Referral Hospital with worsening respiratory symptoms including persistent cough with purulent sputum, fever, right chest pain, and shortness of breath. On admission, a diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis was made following a positive sputum Xpert MTB/Rif test with rifampicin resistance. Culture-based tuberculosis tests and line probe assay confirmed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The patient was given multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment that included bedaquiline, isoniazid, prothionamide, clofazimine, ethambutol, levofloxacin, and pyrazinamide and switched to second-line anti-retroviral therapy that included tenofovir/lamivudine/lopinavir/ritonavir. Chest X-ray revealed a hydro-pneumothorax, following which a chest tube was inserted. With persistent bubbling from the chest tube weeks later and a check chest X-ray that showed increasing pleural airspace (pneumothorax) and appearance of a new air–fluid level, chest computed tomography scan was performed, revealing a bronchopleural fistula in the right hemithorax. The computed tomography scan also revealed a pyo-pneumothorax and lung collapse involving the right middle and lower lobes as well as a thick-walled cavity in the right upper lobe. With the pulmonary complications, particularly the recurrent pneumothorax, bronchopleural fistula, and empyema thoracis, cardiothoracic surgeons were involved, who managed the patient conservatively and maintained the chest tube. The patient continued to be ill with recurrent pneumothorax despite the chest tube, until relatives opted for discharge against medical advice.

Conclusions

Complicated human immunodeficiency virus-related multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is not uncommon in settings of high human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis prevalence and is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, with rigorous monitoring for human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals, is necessary to prevent debilitating complications.

Predictors of mortality among TB-HIV co-infected children attending anti-retroviral therapy clinics of selected public hospitals in southern, Ethiopia: retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Co-infection of tuberculosis and HIV has a significant impact on public health. TB is the most common opportunistic infection and the leading cause of death in HIV-positive children worldwide. But there is paucity of studies concerning the predictors of mortality among TB-HIV co-infected children. This study aimed to determine the predictors of mortality among TB-HIV co-infected children attending ART clinics of public hospitals in Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia.

METHODS

A hospital-based retrospective cohort study design was used among 284 TB-HIV co-infected children attending ART clinics at selected public hospitals in SNNPR, Ethiopia, from January 2009 to December 2019. Then, medical records of children who were TB/HIV co-infected and on ART were reviewed using a structured data extraction tool. Data were entered using Epidata 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The Kaplan Meier survival curve along with log rank tests was used to estimate and compare survival time. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify predictors of mortality among TB/HIV co-infected children. Adjusted Hazard Ratio with p value < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

A total of 284 TB/HIV co-infected children were included in the study. Among these, 35 (12.3%) of them died during the study period. The overall mortality rate was 2.78 (95%CI = 1.98-3.99) per 100 child years of observation. The predictors of mortality were anemia (AHR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.39-9.31), fair or poor ART drug adherence (AHR = 2.9; 95%CI = 1.15-7.43), extrapulmonary TB (AHR = 3.9; 95%CI: 1.34-11.45) and TB drug resistance (AHR = 5.7; 95%CI: 2.07-15.96).

CONCLUSION

Mortality rate of TB/HIV co-infected children in selected public hospitals in SNNPR, Ethiopia was documented as 2.78 per child years of observation as a result of this study. Moreover, Anemia, drug resistant tuberculosis, extrapulmonary TB and poor adherence to ART drugs were identified as the predictors of mortality among these children.

Evidence for Implementation: Management of TB in HIV and Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pregnant people living with HIV (PLWH) are at especially high risk for progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to active tuberculosis (TB) disease. Among pregnant PLWH, concurrent TB increases the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal-growth restriction, low birth weight, preterm-delivery, perinatal transmission of HIV, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The grave impact of superimposed TB disease on maternal morbidity and mortality among PLWH necessitates clear guidelines for concomitant therapy and an understanding of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between antitubercular (anti-TB) agents and antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review discusses the currently available evidence on the use of anti-TB agents in pregnant PLWH on ART. Pharmacokinetic and safety studies of anti-TB agents during pregnancy and postpartum are limited, and available data on second-line and newer anti-TB agents used in pregnancy suggest that several research gaps exist. DDIs between ART and anti-TB agents can decrease plasma concentration of ART, with the potential for perinatal transmission of HIV. Current recommendations for the treatment of LTBI, drug-susceptible TB, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) are derived from observational studies and case reports in pregnant PLWH. While the use of isoniazid, rifamycins, and ethambutol in pregnancy and their DDIs with various ARTs are well-characterized, there is limited data on the use of pyrazinamide and several new and second-line antitubercular drugs in pregnant PLWH. Further research into treatment outcomes, PK, and safety data for anti-TB agent use during pregnancy and postpartum is urgently needed.

Modeling treatment effect modification in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in an individual patientdata meta-analysis

Effect modification occurs while the effect of the treatment is not homogeneous across the different strata of patient characteristics. When the effect of treatment may vary from individual to individual, precision medicine can be improved by identifying patient covariates to estimate the size and direction of the effect at the individual level. However, this task is statistically challenging and typically requires large amounts of data. Investigators may be interested in using the individual patient data from multiple studies to estimate these treatment effect models. Our data arise from a systematic review of observational studies contrasting different treatments for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, where multiple antimicrobial agents are taken concurrently to cure the infection. We propose a marginal structural model for effect modification by different patient characteristics and co-medications in a meta-analysis of observational individual patient data. We develop, evaluate, and apply a targeted maximum likelihood estimator for the doubly robust estimation of the parameters of the proposed marginal structural model in this context. In particular, we allow for differential availability of treatments across studies, measured confounding within and across studies, and random effects by study.

Incidence and predictors of mortality among persons receiving second-line tuberculosis treatment in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis of 43 cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance remains from among the most feared public health threats that commonly challenges tuberculosis treatment success. Since 2010, there have been rapid evolution and advances to second-line anti-tuberculosis treatments (SLD). However, evidence on impacts of these advances on incidence of mortality are scarce and conflicting. Estimating the number of people died from any cause during the follow-up period of SLD as the incidence proportion of all-cause mortality is the most informative way of appraising the drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment outcome. We thus aimed to estimate the pooled incidence of mortality and its predictors among persons receiving the SLD in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We systematically identified relevant studies published between January, 2010 and March, 2020, by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane library, Google scholar, and Health Technology Assessment. Eligible English-language publications reported on death and/or its predictors among persons receiving SLD, but those publications that reported death among persons treated for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis were excluded. Study features, patients' clinical characteristics, and incidence and/or predictors of mortality were extracted and pooled for effect sizes employing a random-effects model. The pooled incidence of mortality was estimated as percentage rate while risks of the individual predictors were appraised based on their independent associations with the mortality outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 43 studies were reviewed that revealed 31,525 patients and 4,976 deaths. The pooled incidence of mortality was 17% (95% CI: 15%-18%; I2 = 91.40; P = 0.00). The studies used varied models in identifying predictors of mortality. They found diagnoses of clinical conditions (RR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.82-3.05); excessive substance use (RR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.78-3.67); HIV and other comorbidities (RR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.65-2.32); resistance to SLD (RR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.37-2.23); and male sex (RR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.35-2.44) as consistent predictors of the mortality. Few individual studies also reported an increased incidence of mortality among persons initiated with the SLD after a month delay (RR: 1.59; 95% CI: 0.98-2.60) and those persons with history of tuberculosis (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.12-1.32).

CONCLUSIONS

We found about one in six persons who received SLD in sub-Saharan Africa had died in the last decade. This incidence of mortality among the drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in the sub-Saharan Africa mirrors the global average. Nevertheless, it was considerably high among the patients who had comorbidities; who were diagnosed with other clinical conditions; who had resistance to SLD; who were males and substance users. Therefore, modified measures involving shorter SLD regimens fortified with newer or repurposed drugs, differentiated care approaches, and support of substance use rehabilitation programs can help improve the treatment outcome of persons with the drug-resistant tuberculosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020160473; PROSPERO.

Risk factors for mortality and multidrug resistance in pulmonary tuberculosis in Guatemala: A retrospective analysis of mandatory reporting

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National TB cohort analyzing risk factors associated with MDR-TB and mortality in Guatemala.

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Indigenous ethnicity and prior TB treatment were associated with increased risk of mortality and MDR-TB.

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HIV/Unknown HIV status were associated with increased mortality and diabetes with risk for MDR-TB.

Background

Risk factors for mortality and MDR-TB in Guatemala are poorly understood. We aimed to identify risk factors to assist in targeting public health interventions.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of adults with pulmonary TB reported to the Guatemalan TB Program between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. The primary objective was to determine risk factors for mortality in pulmonary TB. The secondary objective was to determine risk factors associated with MDR-TB.

Results

Among 3,945 patients with pulmonary TB, median age was 39 years (IQR 25–54), 59% were male, 25% of indigenous ethnicity, 1.1% had MDR-TB and 3.9% died. On multivariable analysis, previous TB treatment (odds ratio [OR] 3.57, CI 2.24–5.68 [p < 0.001]), living with HIV (OR 3.98, CI 2.4–6.17 [p < 0.001]), unknown HIV diagnosis (OR 2.65, CI 1.68–4.18 [p < 0.001]), indigenous ethnicity (OR 1.79, CI 1.18–2.7 [p = 0.005]), malnutrition (OR 7.33, CI 3.24–16.59 [p < 0.001]), and lower educational attainment (OR 2.86, CI 1.43–5.88 [p = 0.003]) were associated with mortality. Prior treatment (OR 53.76, CI 25.04–115.43 [p < 0.001]), diabetes (OR 4.13, CI 2.04–8.35 [p < 0.001]), and indigenous ethnicity (OR 11.83, CI 1.46–95.73 [p = 0.02]) were associated with MDR-TB.

Conclusions

In Guatemala, both previous TB treatment and indigenous ethnicity were associated with higher TB mortality and MDR-TB risk among patients with pulmonary TB.

Gender differences among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Uganda: a countrywide retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Gender differences among patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) and HIV co-infection could affect treatment outcomes. We compared characteristics and treatment outcomes of DRTB/HIV co-infected men and women in Uganda.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with DRTB from 16 treatment sites in Uganda. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years, had confirmed DRTB, HIV co-infection and a treatment outcome registered between 2013 and 2019. We compared socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and tuberculosis treatment outcomes between men and women. Potential predictors of mortality were determined by cox proportional hazard regression analysis that controlled for gender. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of 666 DRTB/HIV co-infected patients, 401 (60.2%) were men. The median (IQR) age of men and women was 37.0 (13.0) and 34.0 (13.0) years respectively (p < 0.001). Men were significantly more likely to be on tenofovir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), high-dose isoniazid-containing DRTB regimen and to have history of cigarette or alcohol use. They were also more likely to have multi-drug resistant TB, isoniazid and streptomycin resistance and had higher creatinine, aspartate and gamma-glutamyl aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels. Conversely, women were more likely to be unemployed, unmarried, receive treatment from the national referral hospital and to have anemia, a capreomycin-containing DRTB regimen and zidovudine-based ART. Treatment success was observed among 437 (65.6%) and did not differ between the genders. However, mortality was higher among men than women (25.7% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.030) and men had a shorter mean (standard error) survival time (16.8 (0.42) vs. 19.0 (0.46) months), Log Rank test (p = 0.046). Predictors of mortality, after adjusting for gender, were cigarette smoking (aHR = 4.87, 95% CI 1.28-18.58, p = 0.020), an increase in alanine aminotransferase levels (aHR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, p < 0.001), and history of ART default (aHR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.31-11.37, p = 0.014) while a higher baseline CD4 count was associated with lower mortality (aHR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.99, p = 0.013 for every 10 cells/mm³ increment).

CONCLUSION

Mortality was higher among men than women with DRTB/HIV co-infection which could be explained by several sociodemographic and clinical differences.

Improving healthcare for patients with HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C in eastern Europe: a review of current challenges and important next steps

OBJECTIVES

In some eastern European countries, serious challenges exist to meet the HIV-, tuberculosis (TB)- and hepatitis-related target of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the highest incidence rates for HIV and the highest proportion of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis worldwide are found in the region. The purpose of this article is to review the challenges and important next steps to improve healthcare for people living with TB, HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) in eastern Europe.

METHODS

References for this narrative review were identified through systematic searches of PubMed using pre-idientified key word for articles published in English from January 2000 to August 2020. After screening of titles and abstracts 37 articles were identified as relevant for this review. Thirty-eight further articles and sources were identified through searches in the authors' personal files and in Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Up to 50% of HIV/MDR-TB-coinfected individuals in the region die within 2 years of treatment initiation. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the proportion virological suppressed are far below the UNAIDS 90% targets. In theory, access to various diagnostic tests and treatment of drug-resistant TB exists, but real-life data point towards inadequate testing and treatment. New treatments could provide elimination of viral HCV in high-risk populations but few countries have national programmes.

CONCLUSION

Some eastern European countries face serious challenges to achieve the sustainable development goal-related target of 3.3 by 2030, among others, to end the epidemics of AIDS and tuberculosis. Better integration of healthcare systems, standardization of health care, unrestricted substitution therapy for all people who inject drugs, widespread access to drug susceptibility testing, affordable medicines and a sufficiently sized, well-trained health workforce could address some of those challenges.

'Out of sight, out of mind?' A follow-up on HIV-infected patients with drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda: A case series

Among new tuberculosis cases in Uganda, 10.3% are drug-resistant and 43% occur in people living with HIV. Both resistance and HIV-tuberculosis co-infection lead to unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes. In this case series, we followed up eight HIV-tuberculosis co-infected patients withdrawn from a pharmacokinetics study on anti-tuberculosis drugs between April 2013 and April 2015 following a diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis. We identified resistance patterns and treatment regimens and evaluated their tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Two patients were multidrug-resistant, only one out of eight was treated according to the World Health Organization guidelines applicable at that time and five had unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes, that is, were lost to follow-up, could not be evaluated or died. Taken together, we found unfavourable tuberculosis treatment outcomes for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. This indicates the necessity of implementation of current treatment guidelines and close monitoring for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

HIV TB coinfection - perspectives from India

Introduction: HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are two of the most challenging infections faced by humanity and place immense burden on health care systems worldwide. Both HIV and TB impact one another's progression.Areas covered: HIV is the most important risk factor for progression of latent TB to active disease. TB is the most common cause of death among People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Timely detection of TB among PLHIV and screening for HIV among TB patients, early initiation of ART and ATT among coinfected persons, provision of CPT and TB Preventive therapy along with control of air-borne infection are some of the key activities to reduce morbidity and mortality among coinfected persons. Despite many challenges, the collaboration between two programs has yielded good results and globally more than 7.3 million lives of PLHIV have been saved globally through scale-up of collaborative TB/HIV activities since 2005. The review looked into key features of both programs that are the collaboration strategies and challenges that still need to be addressed.Expert opinion: The overarching principle for effective implementation of collaborative activities is integration of the TB and HIV national programs right from policy making to service delivery and monitoring.

Challenging drug-resistant TB treatment journey for children, adolescents and their care-givers: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Childhood multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) still affects around 25000 children every year across the globe. Though the treatment success rates for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in children are better than adults, children and adolescents face unique hurdles during DR-TB (MDR-TB, Pre-XDR TB and XDR-TB) treatment. This study aimed to understand the patients, guardians and healthcare providers' perspectives about DR-TB treatment journey of patients and caregivers.

METHODS

This is a qualitative study involving in depth-interviews of purposively selected adolescents (n = 6), patients guardians (for children and adolescents, n = 5) and health care providers (n = 8) of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic, Mumbai, India. In-depth face to face interviews were conducted in English or Hindi language using interview guides during September-November 2019. The interviews were audio-recorded after consent. Thematic network analysis was used to summarize textual data. ATLAS.ti (version 7) was used for analysis.

RESULT

The age of adolescent patients ranged from 15-19 years and four were female. Five guardians (of three child and two adolescent patients) and eight healthcare providers (including clinicians- 2, DOT providers-2, counselors-2 and programme managers-2) were interviewed. The overarching theme of the analysis was: Challenging DR-TB treatment journey which consisted of four sub-themes: 1) physical-trauma, 2) emotional-trauma, 3) unavailable social-support and 4) non-adapted healthcare services. Difficulties in compounding of drugs were noted for children while adolescents shared experiences around disruption in social life due to disease and treatment. Most of the patients and caregivers experienced treatment fatigue and burnout during the DR-TB treatment. Participants during interviews gave recommendations to improve care.

DISCUSSION

The TB programmes must consider the patient and family as one unit when designing the package of care for paediatric DR-TB. Child and adolescent friendly services (paediatric-formulations, age-specific counselling tools and regular interaction with patients and caregivers) will help minimizing burnout in patients and caregivers.

The effects of MDR/RR-TB treatment on HIV disease: A systematic review of literature

Background

Multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection are a deadly combination. While evidence on the effects of HIV co-infection on MDR/RR-TB treatment outcomes is well-documented, little published evidence describes the effects of MDR/RR-TB treatment on HIV disease.

Methods

We conducted a review of literature published prior to June 2020. We searched Pubmed, CINAHL, and EMBASE using variations of the terms “multidrug-resistant tuberculosis,” “HIV,” and either “CD4” or “viral load.” Two reviewers independently completed title and abstract screening, full-text screening, article evaluation, and data extraction. We also included five published articles evaluated as evidence by the World Health Organization (WHO) in preparation for the 2019 MDR/RR-TB treatment guideline update.

Results

A total of 459 references were returned, with 362 remaining after duplicate removal. Following article screening, six manuscripts were included. Articles reported CD4 count and/or viral load results for MDR/RR-TB and HIV co-infected patients during and/or after MDR/RR-TB treatment. The additional five references identified from the WHO guideline revision did not report HIV disease indicators after MDR/RR-TB initiation.

Conclusion

There is a paucity of evidence on HIV disease indicators following MDR/RR-TB treatment. Researchers should report longitudinal HIV disease indicators in co-infected patients in publications.

Treatment outcomes of children and adolescents receiving drug-resistant TB treatment in a routine TB programme, Mumbai, India

Background

Childhood and adolescent drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is one of the neglected infectious diseases. Limited evidence exists around programmatic outcomes of children and adolescents receiving DR-TB treatment. The study aimed to determine the final treatment outcomes, culture conversion rates and factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome in children and adolescents with DR-TB.

Methods

This is a descriptive study including children (0–9 years) and adolescents (10–19 years) with DR-TB were who were initiated on ambulatory based treatment between January 2017-June 2018 in Shatabdi hospital, Mumbai, India where National TB elimination programme(NTEP) Mumbai collaborates with chest physicians and Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) in providing comprehensive care to DR-TB patients. The patients with available end-of-treatment outcomes were included. The data was censored on February 2020.

Result

A total of 268 patients were included; 16 (6%) of them were children (0–9 years). The median(min-max) age was 17(4–19) years and 192 (72%) were females. Majority (199, 74%) had pulmonary TB. Most (58%) had MDR-TB while 42% had fluoroquinolone-resistant TB. The median(IQR) duration of treatment (n = 239) was 24(10–25) months. Median(IQR) time for culture-conversion (n = 128) was 3(3–4) months. Of 268 patients, 166(62%) had successful end-of-treatment outcomes (cured-112; completed treatment-54). Children below 10 years had higher proportion of successful treatment outcomes (94% versus 60%) compared to adolescents. Patients with undernutrition [adjusted odds-ratio, aOR (95% Confidence Interval, 95%CI): 2.5 (1.3–4.8) or those with XDR-TB [aOR (95% CI): 4.3 (1.3–13.8)] had higher likelihood of having unsuccessful DR-TB treatment outcome.

Conclusion

High proportion of successful treatment outcome was reported, better than global reports. Further, the nutritional support and routine treatment follow up should be strengthened. All oral short and long regimens including systematic use of new TB drugs (Bedaquiline and Delamanid) should be rapidly scaled up in routine TB programme, especially for the paediatric and adolescent population.

Factors affecting outcome of longer regimen multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in West Java Indonesia: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis had high treatment failure and mortality. Success rate of treatment currently 56% at global level, 48% in Indonesia and 36% in West Java province, the most populated province and surround Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate factors affecting success of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in patients using longer treatment regimen in West Java Indonesia.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients treated with longer regimen at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. Potential risk factors associated with the treatment outcome were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Results

A total of 492 patients were enrolled during the study period. Fifty percents multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients had successful treatment outcome. Age ≤45 years, male, normal body mass index, no previous tuberculosis treatment, culture conversion ≤2 months, acid fast bacilli sputum smear ≤+1 were independent factors associated with increased treatment success. Sputum culture conversion ≤2 months was the major factor affecting successful outcome (RR 2.79; 95% CI: 1.61–4.84; p-value<0.001). Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, chronic kidney disease, and cavitary lesion were independent risk factors for unfavourable outcome.

Conclusion

Age, gender, body mass index, tuberculosis treatment history, time of sputum conversion, acid fast bacilli sputum smear, HIV infection, chronic kidney disease, and cavitary lesion can be used as predictors for longer multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimen outcome.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children and adolescents: current strategies for prevention and treatment

INTRODUCTION

An estimated 30,000 children develop multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) each year, with only a small proportion diagnosed and treated. This field has historically been neglected due to the perception that children with MDR-TB are challenging to diagnose and treat. Diagnostic and therapeutic developments in adults have improved pediatric management, yet further pediatric-specific research and wider implementation of evidence-based practices are required.

AREAS COVERED

This review combines the most recent data with expert opinion to highlight best practice in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and support of children and adolescents with MDR-TB disease. A literature search of PubMed was carried out on topics related to MDR-TB in children. This review provides practical advice on MDR-TB prevention and gives updates on new regimens and novel treatments. The review also addresses host-directed therapy, comorbid conditions, special populations, psychosocial support, and post-TB morbidity, as well as identifying outstanding research questions.

EXPERT OPINION

Increased availability of molecular diagnostics has the potential to aid with the diagnosis of MDR-TB in children. Shorter MDR-TB disease treatment regimens have made therapy safer and shorter and further developments with novel agents and repurposed drugs should lead to additional improvements. The evidence base for MDR-TB preventive therapy is increasing.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Successful Treatment Outcomes of Xpert MTB/RIF-identified Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis in Post-conflict Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2012-2017: A Retrospective Province-Wide Cohort Study

Background

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) jeopardizes global TB control. The prevalence and predictors of Rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB, a proxy for MDR-TB, and the treatment outcomes with standard and shortened regimens have not been assessed in post-conflict regions, such as the South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We aimed to fill this knowledge gap and to inform the DRC National TB Program.

Methods

of adults and children evaluated for pulmonary TB by sputum smear microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) from February 2012 to June 2017. Multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier estimates, and multivariable Cox regression were used to assess independent predictors of RR-TB and treatment failure/death.

Results

Of 1535 patients Xpert-positive for TB, 11% had RR-TB. Independent predictors of RR-TB were a positive sputum smear (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63–3.59), retreatment of TB (aOR 4.92, 95% CI 2.31–10.45), and one or more prior TB episodes (aOR 1.77 per episode, 95% CI 1.01–3.10). Over 45% of RR-TB patients had no prior TB history or treatment. The median time from Xpert diagnosis to RR-TB treatment initiation was 12 days (interquartile range 3–60.2). Cures were achieved in 30/36 (83%) and 84/114 (74%) of patients on 9- vs 20/24-month MDR-TB regimens, respectively (P = .06). Predictors of treatment failure/death were the absence of directly observed therapy (DOT; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.77, 95% CI 1.2–6.66) and any serious adverse drug event (aHR 4.28, 95% CI 1.88–9.71).

Conclusions

Favorable RR-TB cure rates are achievable in this post-conflict setting with a high RR-TB prevalence. An expanded Xpert scale-up; the prompt initiation of shorter, safer, highly effective MDR-TB regimens; and treatment adherence support are critically needed to optimize outcomes.

Chronic Immune Activation in TB/HIV Co-infection

HIV co-infection is the most critical risk factor for the reactivation of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI). While CD4+ T cell depletion has been considered the major cause of HIV-induced reactivation of LTBI, recent work in macaques co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) suggests that cytopathic effects of SIV resulting in chronic immune activation and dysregulation of T cell homeostasis correlate with reactivation of LTBI. This review builds on compelling data that the reactivation of LTBI during HIV co-infection is likely to be driven by the events of HIV replication and therefore highlights the need to have optimum translational interventions directed at reactivation due to co-infection.

The Impact of Concurrent Antiretroviral Therapy and MDR-TB Treatment on Adverse Events

BACKGROUND

South Africa has among the highest incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and more than 70% of patients are HIV co-infected. MDR-TB treatment is associated with frequent adverse events (AEs). Although guidelines recommend concurrent treatment of MDR-TB and HIV, safety data on concurrent therapy are limited.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study of MDR-TB patients with and without HIV-coinfection in South Africa between 2011 and 2015. Participants received standardized MDR-TB and HIV regimens. Participants were followed monthly for the duration of MDR-TB therapy and screened for clinical and laboratory AEs. Audiometry was performed monthly during the intensive phase; color discrimination testing was performed every 2 months.

RESULTS

We enrolled 150 HIV-infected and 56 HIV-uninfected participants. Nearly all experienced at least one clinical (93%) or laboratory (96%) AE. The most common clinical AEs were peripheral neuropathy (50%) and difficulty sleeping (48%); the most common laboratory AEs were hypokalemia (47%) and decreased creatinine clearance (46%). Among 19 clinical and lab AEs examined, there were no differences by HIV status, except for diarrhea (27% HIV-infected vs. 13% HIV-uninfected, P = 0.03). Hearing loss was experienced by 72% of participants (8% severe loss). Fourteen percent experienced color discrimination loss (4% severe loss). There were no differences in frequency or severity of hearing or vision loss by HIV status.

CONCLUSIONS

AEs were common, but not more frequent or severe among MDR-TB/HIV co-infected participants receiving concurrent antiretroviral therapy. Given the favorable treatment outcomes associated with concurrent treatment, antiretroviral therapy initiation should not be delayed in MDR-TB patients with HIV-coinfection.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis surveillance and cascade of care in Madagascar: a five-year (2012-2017) retrospective study

BACKGROUND

In Madagascar, the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) surveillance programme was launched in late 2012 wherein previously treated TB cases and symptomatic MDR-TB contacts (hereafter called presumptive MDR-TB cases) undergo drug susceptibility testing. This retrospective review had per aim to provide an update on the national MDR-TB epidemiology, assess and enhance programmatic performance and assess Madagascar's MDR-TB cascade of care.

METHODS

For 2012-2017, national TB control programme notification, clinical management data and reference laboratory data were gathered. The development and coverage of the surveillance programme, the MDR-TB epidemiology and programmatic performance indicators were assessed using descriptive, logistic and spatial statistical analyses. Data for 2017 was further used to map Madagascar's TB and MDR-TB cascade of care.

RESULTS

The geographical coverage and diagnostic and referral capacities of the MDR-TB surveillance programme were gradually expanded whereas regional variations persist with regard to coverage, referral rates and sample referral delays. Overall, the rate of MDR-TB among presumptive MDR-TB cases remained relatively stable, ranging between 3.9% in 2013 and 4.4% in 2017. Most MDR-TB patients were lost in the second gap of the cascade pertaining to MDR-TB cases reaching diagnostic centres but failing to be accurately diagnosed (59.0%). This poor success in diagnosis of MDR-TB is due to both the current use of low-sensitivity smear microscopy as a first-line diagnostic assay for TB and the limited access to any form of drug susceptibility testing. Presumptive MDR-TB patients' sample referral took a mean delay of 28 days before testing. Seventy-five percent of diagnosed MDR-TB patients were appropriately initiated on treatment, and 33% reached long-term recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

An expansion of the coverage and strengthening of MDR-TB diagnostic and management capacities are indicated across all regions of Madagascar. With current limitations, the surveillance programme data is likely to underestimate the true MDR-TB burden in the country and an updated national MDR-TB prevalence survey is warranted. In absence of multiple drivers of an MDR-TB epidemic, including high MDR-TB rates, high HIV infection rates and inter-country migration, Madagascar is in a favourable starting position for MDR-TB control and elimination.

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment outcome in children in developing and developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare and contrast the proportions of treatment outcome between developing and developed countries in children treated for multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles published on children treated for MDR-TB. We searched published articles from electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science for English articles without restricting publication year. We employed random-effects meta-analysis model to estimate the pooled proportions of treatment success, death, treatment failure and lost to follow up.

RESULTS

We pooled data of 1,343 children obtained from 17 included studies, and the overall pooled treatment success was 77.0% (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 69.0-85.0). Pooled treatment success in developing countries was 73.0% (63.0-83.0), while in developed countries 87.0% (81.0-94.0). The overall pooled treatment failure was 3.0% (1.0-6.0), while death 8.0% (4.0-11.0) and lost to follow up 10.0% (6.0-4).

CONCLUSION

MDR-TB treatment success in children is well achieved in both developed and developing countries by currently available drugs. Improving MDR-TB treatment programme is vital to achieve the maximum treatment successful. Promoting research on pediatric MDR-TB treatment outcome could also help to fill evidence gap.

Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis. An Official ATS/CDC/ERS/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline

Background: The American Thoracic Society, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Respiratory Society, and Infectious Diseases Society of America jointly sponsored this new practice guideline on the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The document includes recommendations on the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) as well as isoniazid-resistant but rifampin-susceptible TB.Methods: Published systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and a new individual patient data meta-analysis from 12,030 patients, in 50 studies, across 25 countries with confirmed pulmonary rifampin-resistant TB were used for this guideline. Meta-analytic approaches included propensity score matching to reduce confounding. Each recommendation was discussed by an expert committee, screened for conflicts of interest, according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.Results: Twenty-one Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes questions were addressed, generating 25 GRADE-based recommendations. Certainty in the evidence was judged to be very low, because the data came from observational studies with significant loss to follow-up and imbalance in background regimens between comparator groups. Good practices in the management of MDR-TB are described. On the basis of the evidence review, a clinical strategy tool for building a treatment regimen for MDR-TB is also provided.Conclusions: New recommendations are made for the choice and number of drugs in a regimen, the duration of intensive and continuation phases, and the role of injectable drugs for MDR-TB. On the basis of these recommendations, an effective all-oral regimen for MDR-TB can be assembled. Recommendations are also provided on the role of surgery in treatment of MDR-TB and for treatment of contacts exposed to MDR-TB and treatment of isoniazid-resistant TB.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and HIV Infection: Current Perspectives

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), including multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), is considered a potential obstacle for elimination of TB globally. HIV coinfection with M/XDR-TB further complicates the scenario, and is a potential threat with challenging management. Reports have shown poor outcomes and alarmingly high mortality rates among people living with HIV (PLHIV) coinfected with M/XDR-TB. This coinfection is also responsible for all forms of M/XDR-TB epidemics or outbreaks. Better outcomes with reductions in mortality have been reported with concomitant treatment containing antiretroviral drugs for the HIV component and antitubercular drugs for the DR-TB component. Early and rapid diagnosis with genotypic tests, prompt treatment with appropriate regimens based on drug-susceptibility testing, preference for shorter regimens fortified with newer drugs, a patient-centric approach, and strong infection-control measures are all essential components in the management of M/XDR-TB in people living with HIV.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drug Resistance and Transmission among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam has a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, but drug resistance patterns and TB transmission dynamics among TB/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients are not well described. We characterized 200 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from TB/HIV coinfected patients diagnosed at the main TB referral hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) for first-line drugs, spoligotyping, and 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit (MIRU-24) analysis was performed on all isolates. The 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit clusters and MDR isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Most of the TB/HIV coinfected patients were young (162/174; 93.1% aged < 45 years) males (173; 86.5% male). Beijing (98; 49.0%) and Indo-Oceanic (70; 35.0%) lineage strains were most common. Phenotypic drug resistance was detected in 84 (42.0%) isolates, of which 17 (8.5%) were MDR; three additional MDR strains were identified on WGS. Strain clustering was reduced from 84.0% with spoligotyping to 20.0% with MIRU-24 typing and to 13.5% with WGS. Whole genome sequencing identified five additional clusters, or members of clusters, not recognized by MIRU-24. In total, 13 small (two to three member) WGS clusters were identified, with less clustering among drug susceptible (2/27; 7.4%) than among drug-resistant strains (25/27; 92.6%). On phylogenetic analysis, strains from TB/HIV coinfected patients were interspersed among strains from the general community; no major clusters indicating transmission among people living with HIV were detected. Tuberculosis/HIV coinfection in Vietnam was associated with high rates of drug resistance and limited genomic evidence of ongoing M. tuberculosis transmission among HIV-infected patients.

Treatment outcomes and antiretroviral uptake in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infected patients in Sub Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in HIV endemic settings is a major threat to public health. MDR-TB is a substantial and underreported problem in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with recognised cases projected to increase with advancement in diagnostic technology. There is paucity of review evidence on treatment outcomes and antiretroviral (ART) uptake among MDR-TB patients with HIV in SSA. To address this gap a review of treatment outcomes in HIV patients co-infected with MDR-TB in the SSA region was undertaken.

METHODS

Three databases (Medline, Web of Science, CINHAL), Union on Lung Heath conference proceedings and grey literature were searched for publications between January 2004 and May 2018. Records were assessed for eligibility and data extracted. Random effect meta-analysis was conducted using STATA and Cochrane's review manager.

RESULTS

A total of 271 publications were identified of which nine fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data was collected from 3368 MDR-TB and HIV co-infected patients from four SSA countries; South Africa (6), Lesotho (1), Botswana (1) and Ethiopia (1). The most common outcome was cure (34.9% cured in the pooled analysis), this was followed by death (18.1% in pooled analysis). ART uptake was high, at 83% in the pooled analysis. Cure ranged from 28.6 to 54.7% among patients on ART and from 22.2 to 57.7%  among those not on ART medication. MDR-TB and HIV co-infected patients were less likely to be successfully treated than HIV negative MDR-TB patients (Risk Ratio = 0.87, 95% CI 0.97, 0.96).

CONCLUSION

Treatment outcomes for MDR-TB and HIV co-infected patients do not vary widely from those reported globally. However, treatment success was lower among HIV positive MDR-TB patients compared to HIV negative MDR-TB patients. Prompt antiretroviral initiation and interventions to improve treatment adherence are necessary.

Identifying priorities for HIV-associated tuberculosis research through the WHO guidelines process

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Guidelines developed by the WHO aim to provide recommendations to support best practice in health delivery, with a focus on low-income and middle-income countries. As part of the guideline development process, critical knowledge gaps are identified and one of the core functions of WHO guidelines is to set forth priorities for future research. A review of research priorities identified through the WHO guideline development has recently been promoted as one approach to building an overarching priority research agenda in a given area. This paper outlines priorities for HIV-associated TB research identified in WHO HIV and TB guidelines published since 2015.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nine guidelines were reviewed and 29 priority research questions were identified. Research priorities were identified for prevention of HIV-associated TB (11 questions), screening of latent and active TB in people living with HIV (six questions), treatment of drug sensitive (four questions), and drug-resistant (two questions) TB, and treatment of HIV in people coinfected with TB (three questions).

SUMMARY

Multiple approaches to defining priority research questions for health research exist. Research priorities that arise from the WHO guideline development process are limited to those areas for which guidelines are developed. One strength of this approach is that it takes as a starting point a desire to make actionable recommendations for policy makers. WHO is working to further refine the formulation of research questions within the guideline development process.

Analysis of loss to follow-up in 4099 multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Loss to follow-up (LFU) of ≥2 consecutive months contributes to the poor levels of treatment success in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) reported by TB programmes. We explored the timing of when LFU occurs by month of MDR-TB treatment and identified patient-level risk factors associated with LFU.

We analysed a dataset of individual MDR-TB patient data (4099 patients from 22 countries). We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves to plot time to LFU and a Cox proportional hazards model to explore the association of potential risk factors with LFU.

Around one-sixth (n=702) of patients were recorded as LFU. Median (interquartile range) time to LFU was 7 (3–11) months. The majority of LFU occurred in the initial phase of treatment (75% in the first 11 months). Major risk factors associated with LFU were: age 36–50 years (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.6; p=0.04) compared with age 0–25 years, being HIV positive (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7; p<0.01) compared with HIV negative, on an individualised treatment regimen (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–1.0; p=0.03) compared with a standardised regimen and a recorded serious adverse event (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.6; p<0.01) compared with no serious adverse event.

Both patient- and regimen-related factors were associated with LFU, which may guide interventions to improve treatment adherence, particularly in the first 11 months.

Tuberculosis and HIV-An Update on the "Cursed Duet" in Children

HIV and tuberculosis (TB) often occur together with each exacerbating the other. Improvements in vertical transmission prevention has reduced the number of HIV-infected children being born and early antiretroviral therapy (ART) protects against tuberculosis. However, with delayed HIV diagnosis, HIV-infected infants often present with tuberculosis co-infection. The number of HIV exposed uninfected children has increased and these infants have high exposure to TB and may be more immunologically vulnerable due to HIV exposure in utero. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunization shortly after birth is essential for preventing severe TB in infancy. With early infant HIV diagnosis and ART, disseminated BCG is no longer an issue. TB prevention therapy should be implemented for contacts of a source case and for all HIV-infected individuals over a year of age. Although infection can be identified through skin tests or interferon gamma release assays, the non-availability of these tests should not preclude prevention therapy, once active TB has been excluded. Therapeutic options have moved from isoniazid only for 6-9 months to shorter regimens. Prevention therapy after exposure to a source case with resistant TB should also be implemented, but should not prevent pivotal prevention trials already under way. A microbiological diagnosis for TB remains the gold standard because of increasing drug resistance. Antiretroviral therapy for rifampicin co-treatment requires adaptation for those on lopinavir-ritonavir, which requires super-boosting with additional ritonavir. For those with drug resistant TB, the main problems are identification and overlapping toxicity between antiretroviral and anti-TB therapy. In spite of renewed focus and improved interventions, infants are still vulnerable to TB.

Predictors of Treatment Outcomes among Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Tanzania

Background

According to World Health Organization (WHO) the final multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) treatment outcome is the most important direct measurement of the effectiveness of the MDRTB control program. Literature review has shown marked diversity in predictors of treatment outcomes worldwide even among the same continents. Therefore, findings could also be different in Tanzanian context, where the success rate is still lower than the WHO recommendation. This study sought to determine the predictors of treatment outcomes among MDRTB patients in Tanzania in order to improve the success rate.

Methodology

This was a retrospective cohort study, which was conducted at Kibong'oto Infectious Diseases Hospital (KIDH) in Tanzania. Patients' demographic and clinical parameters were collected from the MDRTB registry and clinical files. Then, a detailed analysis was done to determine the predictors of successful and unsuccessful MDRTB treatment outcomes.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-two patients were diagnosed and put on MDRTB treatment during the year 2009 to 2014. Among them, males were 221 (67%), and 317 (95.48%) were above 18 years of age, mean age being 36.9 years. One hundred and sixty-one patients (48.5%) were living in Dar es Salaam. The number of MDRTB patients has increased from 16 in 2009 to 132 in 2014. Majority of patients (75.7%) had successful treatment outcomes. The following predictors were significantly associated with MDRTB cure: presence of cavities in chest X-rays (aOR 1.89, p value 0.002), low BMI (aOR 0.59, p value 0.044), and resistance to streptomycin (aOR 4.67, p value 0.007) and ethambutol (aOR 0.34, p value 0.041). Smoking and presence of cavities in chest X-rays were associated with MDRTB mortality, aOR 2.31, p value 0.043 and aOR 0.55, p value 0.019, respectively.

Conclusion

The study indicated that overall number of MDRTB patients and the proportion of successful treatment outcomes have been increasing over the years. The study recommends improving nutritional status of MDRTB patients, widespread antismoking campaign, and close follow-up of patients with ethambutol resistance.

Delay in treatment initiation and treatment outcomes among adult patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at Yangon Regional Tuberculosis Centre, Myanmar: A retrospective study

Background

Myanmar faces a health security threat, with an increasing number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases. Long delays in the initiation of treatment are a barrier to MDR-TB control.

Objectives

The main objectives of this study were (1) to identify the determinants of delay in treatment initiation after MDR-TB diagnosis, and (2) to explore the effects of treatment delay on disease infectivity, severity, treatment adherence, and treatment outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 330 MDR-TB treatment cards for patients enrolled for treatment at Yangon Regional Tuberculosis Centre, in 2014.

Results

Median treatment delay was 105 days, interquartile range (IQR) 106 (61–167) days; (51.5%) of patients experienced a long treatment delay (≥ 105 days). Regarding the determinants of treatment delay, this study identified important patient-healthcare system interaction factors. Significant risk factors of long treatment delay included female sex, age > 30 years, and prior contact with patients with MDR-TB. Patients with long treatment delays were significantly different from those with short delays, in terms of having high sputum smear grade, resistance to more than two main drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin), and long culture conversion time. In this study, delay in the initiation of treatment was associated with poor treatment outcome, but this was not statistically significant after adjusting for other risk factors. Median treatment-delay times were longer among patients with poor outcomes (144 days) than those with successful outcomes (102 days).

Conclusions

Post-diagnosis delays in the initiation of treatment among MDR-TB patients were significantly long. The study results showed that inadequate MDR-TB treatment initiation center, centralization of treatment initiation, limitation of human resources, were health-system factors delaying timely treatment initiation and implementation of an effective TB-control program. Our findings highlight the need for immediate interventions to reduce treatment delay and improve treatment outcomes, including scaling up diagnostic capacity with Xpert MTB/RIF at township level, expansion of decentralized MDR-TB treatment initiation centers, ensuring a productive health workforce comprising trained health personnel, and providing health education and treatment-adherence counseling to patients and family members.

Model of care and risk factors for poor outcomes in patients on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis treatment at two facilities in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), 2011-2013

Introduction

Since 2011 Médecins sans Frontières together with the eSwatini Ministry of Health have been managing patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) at Matsapha and Mankayane in Manzini region. This analysis describes the model of care and outcomes of patients receiving a 20 months MDR-TB treatment regimen between 2011 and 2013.

Method

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of MDR-TB patients enrolled for treatment between May 2011 and December 2013. An extensive package of psychological care and socio-economic incentives were provided including psychological support, paid treatment supporters, transport fees and a monthly food package. Baseline demographic details and treatment outcomes were recorded and for HIV positive patient’s univariate analysis as well as a cox regression hazard model were undertaken to assess risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

Results

From the 174 patients enrolled, 156 (89.7%) were HIV co-infected, 102 (58.6%) were female, median age 33 years old (IQR: 28–42), 55 (31.6%) had a BMI less than 18 and 86 (49.4%) had not been previously treated for any form of TB. Overall cohort outcomes revealed a 75.3% treatment success rate, 21.3% mortality rate, 0.6% failure and 0.6% lost to follow-up rate. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, low BMI and low CD4 count at treatment initiation were associated with an increased risk of unfavorable outcome.

Conclusions

A model of care that included psychosocial support and patient’s enablers led to a high level of treatment success with a very low lost to follow up rate. Limiting the overall treatment success was a high mortality rate which was associated with advanced HIV and a low BMI at presentation. These factors will need to be addressed in order to improve upon the overall treatment success rate in future.

Developing a model to predict unfavourable treatment outcomes in patients with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection in Delhi, India

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection have worse TB treatment outcomes compared to patients with TB alone. The distribution of unfavourable treatment outcomes differs by socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, allowing for early identification of patients at risk.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a statistical model that can provide individual probabilities of unfavourable outcomes based on demographic and clinical characteristics of TB-HIV co-infected patients.

METHODOLOGY

We used data from all TB patients with known HIV-positive test results (aged ≥15 years) registered for first-line anti-TB treatment (ATT) in 2015 under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in Delhi, India. We included variables on demographics and pre-treatment clinical characteristics routinely recorded and reported to RNTCP and the National AIDS Control Organization. Binomial logistic regression was used to develop a statistical model to estimate probabilities of unfavourable TB treatment outcomes (i.e., death, loss to follow-up, treatment failure, transfer out of program, and a switch to drug-resistant regimen).

RESULTS

Of 55,260 TB patients registered for ATT in 2015 in Delhi, 928 (2%) had known HIV-positive test results. Of these, 816 (88%) had drug-sensitive TB and were ≥15 years. Among 816 TB-HIV patients included, 157 (19%) had unfavourable TB treatment outcomes. We developed a model for predicting unfavourable outcomes using age, sex, disease classification (pulmonary versus extra-pulmonary), TB treatment category (new or previously treated case), sputum smear grade, known HIV status at TB diagnosis, antiretroviral treatment at TB diagnosis, and CD4 cell count at ATT initiation. The chi-square p-value for model calibration assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.15. The model discrimination, measured as the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, was 0.78.

CONCLUSION

The model had good internal validity, but should be validated with an independent cohort of TB-HIV co-infected patients to assess its performance before clinical or programmatic use.

Treatment Outcomes Associated with Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis

Background:

Developing countries like India are heavily burdened with multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study was carried out at the directly observed treatment short course chemotherapy plus site in our tertiary care center (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi) where records of all patients enrolled between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed. The aim of this study was to calculate the frequency of predefined outcomes in these patients receiving standardized treatment for MDR-TB.

Results:

Out of a total of 819 patients, the frequency of outcomes in these patients was as follows: Cured (n = 415, 52%), default (n = 199, 24%), death (n = 130, 16%), switched to category V (n = 27, 3%), transferred out (n = 12, 1%), treatment failure (n = 13, 1%), and treatment completed (n = 23, 3%).

Conclusion:

The modest cure rate in concordance with other Indian studies highlights the need for continuing efforts to fight the menace of MDR-TB.

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence, determinants and treatment outcome

INTRODUCTION

The emergence of MDR-TB remained a major public health threat particularly in developing countries. With increased prevalence and complexity of treatment, the burden of MDR-TB challenged the country. It is of an important; the epidemiology of drug resistant TB is not well understood. There are few studies conducted to assess the prevalence, determinants and treatment outcome of MDR-TB with inconclusive finding. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on Epidemiology of MDR-TB in Ethiopia, So that policy makers and other stalk holders could have pooled evidence on the problem to make a decision.

METHODS

The review was conducted through a systematic literature search of articles published between 1997 and 2017. Five bibliographic databases and libraries: PubMed/Medline, Global Health Database, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and African Index Medicus were used. After cleaning and sorting, analysis was performed using STATA version 11. The pooled rate of MDR-TB prevalence, determinants and treatment outcome was estimated with a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 and publication bias through funnel plot.

RESULTS

The 34 studies that were retained for final analysis enrolled a total of 7461 TB or MDR-TB patients. We found that 2.18% (95% CI 1.44-2.92%) of newly diagnosed and 21.07% (95% CI 11.47-30.67%) of previously treated patients have MDR-TB with overall prevalence of 7.24% (95% CI 6.11-8.37). History of previous treatment is the major determinant (pooled OR = 4.78 (95% CI 3.16-6.39)), while contact history and adherence also contributed. In this review the pooled death computed among 5 articles showed that 12.25% (95% CI 9.39-15.11%) of MDR-TB patients were died in the course of treatment. Complication, drug side effects and HIV infection were the main determinants for the death.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The prevalence is by far higher than the previous reports. It is mainly associated with history of previous treatment along with contact history. However, the treatment outcomes are comparable with previous studies, yet it is a concern. Comorbidities, drug side effects and HIV sero-positivity were the determinants. Thus, proper treatment of drug susceptible TB and early detection and treatment of MDR-TB before complication develops along with prevention of drug side effect and contacts with MDR-TB cases are very important.

Initiation, scale-up and outcomes of the Cambodian National MDR-TB programme 2006-2016: hospital and community-based treatment through an NGO-NTP partnership

Introduction

Prolonged inpatient multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment for all patients is not sustainable for high-burden settings, but there is limited information on community-based treatment programme outcomes for MDR-TB.

Methods

The Cambodian Health Committee, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), launched the Cambodian MDR-TB programme in 2006 in cooperation with the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) including a community-based treatment option as a key programme component. The programme was transferred to NTP oversight in 2011 with NGO clinical management continuing. Patients electing to receive home-based treatment were followed by a dedicated adherence supporter and a multidisciplinary outpatient team of nurses, physicians and community health workers. Patients hospitalised for >1 month of treatment (hospital based) received similar management after discharge. All patients received a standardised second-line MDR-TB regimen and were provided nutritional and adherence support. Outcomes were reviewed for patients completing 24 months of treatment and predictors of treatment success were evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

Of 582 patients with MDR-TB who initiated treatment between September 2006 and June 2016, 20% were HIV coinfected, 288 (49%) initiated community-based treatment and 294 (51%) received hospital-based treatment. Of 486 patients with outcomes available, 364 (75%) were cured, 10 (2%) completed, 28 (6%) were lost to follow-up, 3 (0.6%) failed and 77 (16%) died. There was no difference between treatment success in community versus hospital-based groups (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.0, p=0.99). HIV infection, older age and body mass index <16 were strongly associated with decreased treatment success (aOR 0.33, p<0.001; aOR 0.40, p<0.001; aOR 0.40; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Cambodia’s NGO–NTP partnership successfully developed and scaled up a model MDR-TB treatment programme. The first large-scale MDR-TB programme in Asia with a significant community-based component, the programme achieved equally high treatment success in patients with community-based compared with hospital-based initiation of MDR treatment.

Impact of Fluoroquinolone Use on Mortality Among a Cohort of Patients With Suspected Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Background

Previous retrospective and in vitro studies suggest that use of later-generation fluoroquinolones may reduce mortality risk and improve treatment outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) patients, including individuals resistant to a fluoroquinolone. Meta-analysis results are mixed and few studies have examined this relationship prospectively.

Methods

As part of a comparative diagnostic study, we conducted a prospective cohort study with 834 Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients from selected hospitals and clinics with high prevalence of drug-resistant TB in India, Moldova, and South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to assess the association between later-generation fluoroquinolone (moxifloxacin or levofloxacin) use and patient mortality, adjusting for risk factors typically associated with poor treatment outcomes.

Results

After adjusting for phenotypic resistance profile, low body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2), human immunodeficiency virus status, and study site, participants treated with a later-generation fluoroquinolone had half the risk of mortality compared with participants either not treated with any fluoroquinolone or treated only with an earlier-generation fluoroquinolone (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% confidence interval, .26-.80]) during follow-up.

Conclusions

Use of later-generation fluoroquinolones significantly reduced patient mortality risk in our cohort, suggesting that removal of a later-generation fluoroquinolone from a treatment regimen because of demonstrated resistance to an earlier-generation fluoroquinolone might increase mortality risk. Further studies should evaluate the effectiveness of later-generation fluoroquinolones among patients with and without resistance to early-generation fluoroquinolones.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02170441.

Survival and predictors of mortality among children co-infected with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. A retrospective follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children globally. The aims of this study were to determine the mortality rate and to identify the predictors of mortality among TB/HIV co-infected children at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

METHOD

A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among TB/HIV co-infected children from February 2005 to March 2017. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the median survival time. Bivariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to identify the predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 271 TB/HIV co-infected children were included in the analysis. Of these, 38(14.02%) children were died during the follow-up period. This gives a total of 1167.67 child-years of observations. The overall mortality rate was 3.27(95%CI: 2.3-4.5) per 100 child-years. The independent predictors of time to death were age 1-5 years (as compared to age <1 year) (AHR = 0.3; 95%CI:0.09-0.98)), being anemic (AHR = 2.6; 95%CI:1.24-5.3), cotrimoxazole preventive therapy(CPT) non-users (AHR = 4.1; 95%CI:1.4-16.75), isoniazid preventive therapy(IPT) non-users (AHR = 2.95; 95%CI:1.16-7.5), having extra pulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB) (AHR = 2.43; 95%CI:1.1-5.3)) and fair or poor adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)(AHR = 3.5; 95%CI:1.7-7.5).

CONCLUSION

Mortality rate among TB/HIV co-infected children was high at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Age, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, anemia, adherence, CPT and IPT were the independent predictors of mortality.

Management of drug-resistant tuberculosis in special sub-populations including those with HIV co-infection, pregnancy, diabetes, organ-specific dysfunction, and in the critically ill

Tuberculosis remains a major problem globally, and is the leading cause of death from an infectious agent. Drug-resistant tuberculosis threatens to marginalise the substantial gains that have recently been made in the fight against tuberculosis. Drug-resistant TB has significant associated morbidity and a high mortality, with only half of all multidrug-resistant TB patients achieving a successful treatment outcome. Patients with drug-resistant TB in resource-poor settings are now gaining access to newer and repurposed anti-tuberculosis drugs such as bedaquiline, delamanid and linezolid. However, with ever increasing rates of co-morbidity, there is little guidance on how to manage complex patients with drug-resistant TB. We address that knowledge gap, and outline principles underpinning the management of drug-resistant TB in special situations including HIV co-infection, pregnancy, renal disease, liver disease, diabetes, and in the critically ill.

Improved Survival and Cure Rates With Concurrent Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection in South Africa

Background

Mortality in multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection has historically been high, but most studies predated the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We prospectively compared survival and treatment outcomes in MDR tuberculosis-HIV-coinfected patients on ART to those in patients with MDR tuberculosis alone.

Methods

This observational study enrolled culture-confirmed MDR tuberculosis patients with and without HIV in South Africa between 2011 and 2013. Participants received standardized MDR tuberculosis and HIV regimens and were followed monthly for treatment response, adverse events, and adherence. The primary outcome was survival.

Results

Among 206 participants, 150 were HIV infected, 131 (64%) were female, and the median age was 33 years (interquartile range [IQR], 26-41). Of the 191 participants with a final MDR tuberculosis outcome, 130 (73%) were cured or completed treatment, which did not differ by HIV status (P = .50). After 2 years, CD4 count increased a median of 140 cells/mm3 (P = .005), and 64% had an undetectable HIV viral load. HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants had high rates of survival (86% and 94%, respectively; P = .34). The strongest risk factor for mortality was having a CD4 count ≤100 cells/mm3 (adjusted hazards ratio, 15.6; 95% confidence interval, 4.4-55.6).

Conclusions

Survival and treatment outcomes among MDR tuberculosis-HIV individuals receiving concurrent ART approached those of HIV-uninfected patients. The greatest risk of death was among HIV-infected individuals with CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3. These findings provide critical evidence to support concurrent treatment of MDR tuberculosis and HIV.

Comorbidities and treatment outcomes in multidrug resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Little is known about the impact of comorbidities on multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes. We aimed to examine the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), alcohol misuse, and smoking on MDR/XDRTB treatment outcomes. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Registrar and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews as per PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies were identified and treatment outcome data were extracted. We performed a meta-analysis to generate a pooled relative risk (RR) for unsuccessful outcome in MDR/XDRTB treatment by co-morbidity. From 2457 studies identified, 48 reported on 18,257 participants, which were included in the final analysis. Median study population was 235 (range 60-1768). Pooled RR of unsuccessful outcome was higher in people living with HIV (RR = 1.41 [95%CI: 1.15-1.73]) and in people with alcohol misuse (RR = 1.45 [95%CI: 1.21-1.74]). Outcomes were similar in people with diabetes or in people that smoked. Data was insufficient to examine outcomes in exclusive XDRTB or CKD cohorts. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, alcohol misuse and HIV were associated with higher pooled OR of an unsuccessful outcome in MDR/XDRTB treatment. Further research is required to understand the role of comorbidities in driving unsuccessful treatment outcomes.