Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Tuberculosis in Pakistan
Author Information
Author(s): Jabeen Kauser, Shakoor Sadia, Chishti Shazia, Ayaz Afsheen, Hasan Rumina
Primary Institution: Aga Khan University Hospital
Hypothesis
Is there an increase in fluoroquinolone resistance in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains in Pakistan from 2005 to 2009?
Conclusion
The study found a significant increase in fluoroquinolone resistance rates in multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates over a five-year period.
Supporting Evidence
- Fluoroquinolone resistance rates in MDR strains increased from 17.41% in 2005 to 42.92% in 2009.
- Fluoroquinolone resistance was also detected in non-MDR, polydrug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates.
- 3.1% of isolates susceptible to all first-line agents were fluoroquinolone resistant in 2009.
Takeaway
The study shows that more and more tuberculosis germs in Pakistan are becoming resistant to a type of medicine called fluoroquinolones, which makes it harder to treat the disease.
Methodology
The study analyzed fluoroquinolone resistance in MDR tuberculosis strains using data from a tertiary care laboratory over a five-year period.
Potential Biases
Referral bias exists due to passive sampling, as cases referred to the laboratory tend to be more complicated.
Limitations
Sampling limitations prevent generalizing results to the entire population of Pakistan, and treatment history was not available for patients.
Participant Demographics
Samples were collected from various cities across Pakistan.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website