title: Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
abstract: We analyzed data for a retrospective cohort of patients treated for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in 2 provinces in South Africa and compared predictors of treatment outcome in HIV-positive patients who received or had not received antiretroviral drugs with those for HIV-negative patients. Overall, 220 (62.0%) of 355 patients were HIV positive. After 2 years, 34 (10.3%) of 330 patients with a known HIV status and known outcome had a favorable outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that predictors of favorable outcome were negative results for acid-fast bacilli by sputum microscopy at start of treatment and weight >50 kg. HIV-positive patients were more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. The strongest predictor of unfavorable outcome was weight <50 kg. Overall outcomes were poor. HIV status was not a predictor of favorable outcome, but HIV-positive patients were more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. These results underscore the need for timely and adequate treatment for tuberculosis and HIV infection.
authors.forename: Charlotte L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kvasnovsky
authors.forename: J Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cegielski
authors.forename: Martie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: van der Walt
keywords: Eastern Cape Province; HIV/AIDS; KwaZulu-Natal Province; South Africa; XDR TB; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; epidemiology; extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis; treatment outcomes; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria