Rifampicin resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected individuals using GeneXpert MTB/RIF ultra: a hospital-based study

Trop Med Int Health. 2021 Feb;26(2):159-165. doi: 10.1111/tmi.13489. Epub 2020 Nov 27.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with rifampicin (RIF)-resistant tuberculosis using GeneXpert technology.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 among tuberculosis (TB)-infected Cameroonian patients in the Littoral Region using records from patients presenting with clinically suspected or documented TB. The patients were screened for TB using GeneXpert MDR/RIF ultra. Data were documented with an ad hoc survey form and analysed with SPSS version 22.

Results: 153 patients were included in the study. 64.1% were males; mean age was 37.9 ± 14.7 years and median age 37 years (range: 2-82). Most patients were new cases (76.4%). Relapses accounted for 8.5% and recurrences for 2.6%. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed among 98.7% patients using mostly sputum samples (85%). The prevalence of RIF resistance was 6.7% (95% CI: 3.4%-12.7%). This prevalence was significantly higher in samples of mucus and mucopurulent aspect (P-value = 0.04). RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis strains were significantly more frequent among relapses than new cases (23.1% vs. 2.3% P-value < 0.0001). A statistically significant association was found between GeneXpert-based quantification results and type and aspect of samples.

Conclusion: This study confirms the circulation of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis strains in the Littoral region. There is a need for extensive studies in other parts of the country.

Keywords: Cameroon; Tuberculosis; associated factors; prevalence; rifampicin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular / therapeutic use
  • Cameroon
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / genetics
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Recurrence
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular
  • Rifampin