Characteristics and outcome of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a low-incidence area

To characterize multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients treated in a low endemic area in France and to determine risk factors for resistance. We also analyzed the efficacy and tolerability of tuberculosis (TB) treatment.

Between 2002-2013, all MDR-TB patients diagnosed in western France (hospitals belonging to the GERICCO group) were retrospectively included, with a follow-up period running until 2016. A case-control study (1:2), matched according to age, sex, and year of diagnosis, was performed to assess socio-demographic and clinical data, treatment strategies, and outcomes for the MDR-TB patients and controls treated for drug-susceptible tuberculosis during the same period.

Of 134 TB patients, 44 were MDR-TB and 90 were drug-susceptible TB. Of the 44 MDR-TB patients (35 MDR and nine extensively drug-resistant [XDR]), 33 (75%) were males; the median age was 33 years; and 27 (61%) were born in Eastern Europe. Prior treatment failure was more frequently reported for XDR-TB (8/9) in Georgian patients. In multivariate analysis, risk contacts and prior TB history were associated with MDR-TB. Treatment failure was associated with MDR/XDR-TB and miliary TB.

In western France, MDR-TB more frequently occurred in recent migrants from high-risk countries with a previous history of at-risk contact with other MDR-TB patients or previous TB treatment failure.