Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis management in resource-limited settings

Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Sep;12(9):1389-97. doi: 10.3201/eid1209.051618.

Abstract

Evidence of successful management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) is mainly generated from referral hospitals in high-income countries. We evaluate the management of MDRTB in 5 resource-limited countries: Estonia, Latvia, Peru, the Philippines, and the Russian Federation. All projects were approved by the Green Light Committee for access to quality-assured second-line drugs provided at reduced price for MDRTB management. Of 1047 MDRTB patients evaluated, 119 (11%) were new, and 928 (89%) had received treatment previously. More than 50% of previously treated patients had received both first- and second-line drugs, and 65% of all patients had infections that were resistant to both first- and second-line drugs. Treatment was successful in 70% of all patients, but success rate was higher among new (77%) than among previously treated patients (69%). In resource-limited settings, treatment of MDRTB provided through, or in collaboration with, national TB programs can yield results similar to those from wealthier settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antitubercular Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Developing Countries*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Estonia / epidemiology
  • Government Programs*
  • Humans
  • Latvia / epidemiology
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Philippines / epidemiology
  • Program Evaluation
  • Russia / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / drug therapy*
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents