Multidrug-resistant (MDR)- tuberculosis (TB) and extensively drug resistant (XDR)-TB reportedly lead to increased household transmission. This is a retrospective cohort study of active TB occurring among household contacts exposed to MDR-TB. Of 704 contacts in 246 households, initial screening identified 12 (1.7%) TB cases (prevalent cases) and 17 (2.4%) contacts that subsequently developed act...

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are known to cause abnormal thyroid function. There is little information on whether HIV infection aggravates alteration of thyroid function in patients with MDR-TB. OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to determine if HIV co-infection alters serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone ...

BACKGROUND Studies examining the transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) strains have yielded conflicting results. METHODS We examined transmission of MDR-TB strains using contact tracing data from a low incidence setting. Contacts of MDR-TB cases diagnosed in British Columbia, Canada, from 1990-2008 were identified through a provincial tuberculosis (TB) registry. Tuberculin...

BACKGROUND The incidence and prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, are amongst the highest in the world. Previously, interventions have been largely biomedical based; however, there is growing opinion that interventions must include social aspects such as patient education and attitudes. METHODS This observational study assesse...

BACKGROUND The rapid spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has attracted global concerns. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the high prevalence of MDR-TB in China's Heilongjiang province. METHODS A cross-sectional survey following the WHO/International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease guidelines was conducted with consecutive recruitment of patients...

SETTING South Africa is one of the world's 22 high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries, with the second highest number of notified rifampicin-resistant TB (R(R)-TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases. OBJECTIVE To estimate patient costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of R(R)-TB/MDR-TB in South Africa. DESIGN Patients diagnosed with R(R)-TB/MDR-TB and accessing care at gov...

INTRODUCTION Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) represents an emerging public health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 9.7% of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases are defined as XDR-TB globally. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of drug resistance to second-line TB drugs among MDR-TB cases detected in the Fourth...

OBJECTIVE To determine the time from diagnosis to start of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) treatment in Lima, Peru. METHODS We studied new smear-positive TB adults that were started on MDR TB treatment or that were switched to it between June 2008 and December 2011. RESULTS Time from the first positive smear to MDR-TB treatment was >30 days in 35% (13/37) of patients. Among the 27...

OBJECTIVES To determine, in areas supported by BRAC, Bangladesh i) the pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment attrition among presumptive and confirmed Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients and ii) factors associated with attrition. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study involving record review. Presumptive MDR-TB patients from peripheral microscopy centres serving 60% of the to...

Recurrence after successful treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is challenging because of limited retreatment options. This study aimed to determine rates and predictors of MDR-TB recurrence after successful treatment in Taiwan. Recurrence rates were analyzed by time from treatment completion in 295 M DR-TB patients in a national cohort. Factors associated with MDR-TB recurr...