title: Outcomes of children treated for tuberculosis with second-line medications in Georgia, 2009-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major public threat in countries of the former Soviet Union, including Georgia. There are few studies of pediatric DR-TB cases, especially at a national level.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the characteristics and treatment outcomes of pediatric multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases in Georgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We extracted data on all pediatric (age <16 years) MDR-TB cases notified in Georgia from 2009 to 2011. We assessed the baseline and treatment characteristics and treatment outcomes of this cohort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2009 and 2011, there were 45 notified pediatric DR-TB cases in Georgia. Just over half had previously received anti-tuberculosis treatment and the median age was 7.7 years. Time from diagnosis to treatment was short (median 16 days), and the median length of treatment was 20.2 months. Of those not still on treatment, 77.1% (95%CI 61.0-87.9) had a successful outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One of the first reports of pediatric DR-TB treatment outcomes at a national level, this study demonstrates that successful outcomes can be achieved.
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development Georgia TB Prevention Project, Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gegia
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kalandadze
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents