National anti-tuberculosis drug resistance study in Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in a national representative sample of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tanzania according to recommended methodology.


METHODS
Cluster survey, with 40 clusters sampled proportional to size, of notified TB patients from all diagnostic centres in the country.


RESULTS
The survey enrolled 1019 new and 148 retreatment patients. The adjusted prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to any of the four first-line drugs in new patients was 8.3%, while the prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 1.1%. In retreatment patients, the crude prevalence for any resistance and for MDR-TB was respectively 20.6% and 3.9%. The prevalence of drug resistance did not differ in relapse patients compared to failure patients. These estimates are among the lowest in those African countries with an estimated level of drug resistance in the last 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The low levels of drug resistance in Tanzania are likely due to a well performing TB control programme and the absence of noticeable involvement of the private sector in TB treatment.
Chonde
T M
TM
National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. vanlethf@kncvtbc.nl
Basra
D
D
Mfinanga
S G M
SG
Range
N
N
Lwilla
F
F
Shirima
R P
RP
van Deun
A
A
Zignol
M
M
Cobelens
F G
FG
Egwaga
S M
SM
van Leth
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000995:Antitubercular Agents