Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Mosango, a Rural Area in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious threat which jeopardizes the worldwide efforts to control TB. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of 27 countries with a high burden of MDR-TB. Data on the magnitude, trends, and the distribution of MDR-TB in DRC are scanty. Kinshasa, the capital city of DRC which accounts for 20% of all TB cases nationwide, is notifying more than 80% of all MDR suspects. We report here a cluster of MDR-TB cases that was investigated in the Mosango health district, in the Bandundu south Province, DRC in 2008. Phenotypic Drug Sensitivity Testing and DNA sequencing were performed on 18 sputum specimens collected from 4 MDR-TB suspects and 5 household contacts. Sequencing data confirmed that the 4 suspects were indeed Rifampicin resistant cases. Sequencing of the rpoB gene showed that 3 cases (patients A, B and D) had a single mutation encoding a substitution to 526Tyr, 531Trp and 526Leu respectively. Patient C had a double mutation encoding a change to 531Leu and 633Leu. Two of the investigated cases died within 4 months of a second-line treatment course. Results highlight the need to enhance adequate laboratory services within the country for both clinical as well as surveillance purposes.

Resistant tuberculosis in Maranhão, Brazil: a case series

“…Marks et al [ 9 ] found a prevalence of 36 % of MDR-TB and 56 % of XDR-TB in 2005–2007 [ 9 ]. Regarding drugs, resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, as well as age (young adults), supported the findings of a study conducted in Congo [ 10 ].…”

Prevalence, Predictors, and Successful Treatment Outcomes of Xpert MTB/RIF–identified Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis in Post-conflict Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2012–2017: A Retrospective Province-Wide Cohort Study

“…Estimated DRC MDR-TB rates were 2.2% among new cases and 9.7% in retreatment cases [2]. Limited laboratory infrastructure for both MTB cultures and drug susceptibility testing (DST) makes the determination of the actual MDR-TB burden and of treatment outcomes challenging [3, 4].…”

Comparative Anti-mycobacterial Activity on Lowenstein-Jensen Slants of Selected Medicinal Plants Used in the Congolese Pharmacopeia

“…Thus, HIV is the single most important factor behind Africa's TB re-emergence [15] [16]. In Low-Income countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), TB constitutes a challenge with an estimated incidence smear over 150 cases per 100 000 inhabitants where the collapse of health system and the re-emergence of TB as well other infectious diseases are due to the civil unrest [9]. DRC is one of the 22 most affected countries in the world ranking at the 5 th place in Africa and 11 th in the world [9][10][11].…”

“…In Low-Income countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), TB constitutes a challenge with an estimated incidence smear over 150 cases per 100 000 inhabitants where the collapse of health system and the re-emergence of TB as well other infectious diseases are due to the civil unrest [9]. DRC is one of the 22 most affected countries in the world ranking at the 5 th place in Africa and 11 th in the world [9][10][11]. Treatment of TB patients co-infected with HIV/AIDS has been associated with treatment failures, relapses, and acquires drug resistance in addition to drug interactions that increase the risk of toxicity.…”