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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Encouraging outcomes in the first year of a TB control demonstration program: Orel Oblast, Russia
T Kherosheva1, L E Thorpe, E Kiryanova
1Orel Oblast TB Dispensary, Orel Oblast TB Control Program, Orel, Russian Federation.
Setting:
Orel, Russia.
Objective:
To evaluate outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) patients treated in the first year of a TB control demonstration project using a revised strategy of directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS). Standard methods recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) were adapted to include mycobacterial cultures.
Design:
Retrospective cohort analysis of TB patients diagnosed between October 1999 and September 2000.
Results:
Among 749 TB patients, 65% had bacteriologic confirmation of pulmonary TB, 31% were diagnosed clinically, and 4% had extra-pulmonary TB. Most (92%) had no previous TB treatment, but 8% were identified as retreatment cases. Of all patients, 41% had new sputum smear-positive TB. No patients were HIV-infected. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB levels were 3% among new and 17% among retreatment patients. Among new smear-positive patients, treatment success was 79% (72% cure, 7% completion); remaining outcomes were 8% failure, 3% default, 8% death, and 1% transfer. Success rates for new culture-positive and clinically diagnosed patients were 81% and 91%, respectively.
Conclusion:
Despite historical differences, successful implementation of the revised TB strategy in Russia is possible. Treatment success rates were high, suggesting WHO targets of 85% cure for smear-positive patients is attainable. Obstacles include drug resistance and elevated death rates among smear-positive patients.
