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Drug-resistant tuberculosis in HIV-infected persons: Italy 1999-2000
P Vanacore1, B Koehler, S Carbonara
1Dept. of Epidemiology, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive, L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense, I-292, 00149, Rome, Italy. gista@inmi.it
Infection
|December 15, 2004
Summary
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is prevalent in HIV-infected patients in Italy, especially among those previously treated. This highlights the need for targeted interventions against drug-resistant TB in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- HIV-infected individuals are a key population for studying drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB).
- Understanding drug resistance patterns in TB is crucial for effective treatment and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of drug resistance (DR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in TB isolates from HIV-infected patients in Italy.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with DR and MDR TB in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- An observational, prospective study was conducted in 96 Italian infectious disease units from 1999-2000.
- Drug susceptibility testing for isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) was performed on TB isolates from 140 HIV-infected patients.
- DR was defined as resistance to INH or RIF; MDR was defined as resistance to both INH and RIF.
Main Results:
- Of 140 patients, 117 had new TB cases and 23 had previously treated cases.
- DR prevalence was 14.5% in new cases and 30.4% in previously treated cases.
- MDR prevalence was 2.6% in new cases and 12.5% in previously treated cases, with higher rates in previously treated patients.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence rates of drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant TB were observed in HIV-infected patients in Italy.
- Previously treated cases showed significantly higher rates of DR and MDR TB.
- No statistically significant risk factors for DR or MDR TB were identified in this study.