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Rifampicin-resistant TB in paediatrics: a patient series from a secondary health facility in Northern Malawi

S Chitsulo1,2, D Omotayo2, J Furin3

  • 1Ministry of Health, Karonga District Hospital, Karonga, Malawi.

Public Health Action
|May 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing childhood tuberculosis (TB) is difficult, but stool sampling shows promise. This study found successful treatment outcomes in four children with rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) using this novel diagnostic approach.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Childhood pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is challenging due to specimen collection difficulties and low bacterial load.
  • Rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in children requires effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.
  • Novel diagnostic approaches and WHO-recommended tools need further clinical impact evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the clinical impact of using stool sampling for diagnosing childhood rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB).
  • To evaluate treatment outcomes in children diagnosed with RR-TB via stool sampling.

Main Methods:

  • Case series of four children diagnosed with RR-TB at Karonga District Hospital, Malawi.
  • Utilized stool sampling as a diagnostic method.
  • Administered all-oral treatment regimens.

Main Results:

  • All four children were diagnosed with RR-TB using stool samples.
  • All four children received successful all-oral treatment regimens.
  • Successful treatment outcomes were observed in all cases.

Conclusions:

  • Stool sampling is a viable and effective diagnostic tool for childhood RR-TB.
  • Novel diagnostic methods like stool sampling can lead to successful treatment outcomes in children with RR-TB.
  • Further research on the clinical impact of advanced diagnostics in pediatric TB is warranted.

Keywords:
RR-TBchild TBdrug-resistant TBtuberculosis

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