Diversity of Tuberculosis Strains and Drug Resistance in Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Kibiki Gibson, Mulder Bert, Dolmans Wil MV, de Beer Jessica L, Boeree Martin, Sam Noel, van Soolingen Dick, Sola Christophe, van der Zanden Adri GM
Primary Institution: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tumaini University
Hypothesis
What is the genetic diversity of M. tuberculosis strains and their drug susceptibility in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients in northern Tanzania?
Conclusion
The study found a wide diversity of tuberculosis strains, with a significant proportion showing drug resistance, particularly to isoniazid.
Supporting Evidence
- One-third of patients were co-infected with TB and HIV.
- 47 different spoligotypes were identified among the isolates.
- 12 of the 111 tested strains were resistant to anti-TB drugs.
- CAS1-Kili and LAM11-ZWE were the most common families of strains.
- HIV status was not associated with drug resistance or spoligotypes.
Takeaway
This study looked at different types of tuberculosis germs in people with and without HIV in Tanzania, finding many types and some that don't respond to medicine.
Methodology
Sputum or BAL fluid samples were collected from patients, cultured, and genotyped using spoligotyping to assess drug susceptibility.
Limitations
The study may not represent all regions of Tanzania and relied on a limited sample size.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were from the Chagga and Masai tribes, with a mean age of 37 years, and 63.8% were male.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website