Transmission of MDR and XDR Tuberculosis in Shanghai, China
2009

Transmission of MDR and XDR Tuberculosis in Shanghai, China

Sample size: 4379 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Zhao Ming, Li Xia, Xu Peng, Shen Xin, Gui Xiaohong, Wang Lili, DeRiemer Kathryn, Mei Jian, Gao Qian

Primary Institution: Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Hypothesis

We sought to determine the characteristics, prevalence, and relative frequency of transmission of MDR and XDR TB in Shanghai.

Conclusion

The study found that 5.6% of tuberculosis patients in Shanghai were infected with a MDR strain, and 6.3% of those were XDR, indicating serious transmission issues.

Supporting Evidence

  • 5.6% of TB patients in Shanghai were infected with a MDR strain.
  • 6.3% of MDR patients were found to be XDR.
  • More than half of the patients with MDR and XDR were newly diagnosed.
  • Universal drug susceptibility testing is recommended for new and retreatment TB cases.

Takeaway

In Shanghai, some people have a really tough kind of tuberculosis that doesn't get better with regular medicine, and it's spreading.

Methodology

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using existing data from TB patients diagnosed in Shanghai from March 2004 to November 2007, including drug susceptibility testing and genotyping.

Potential Biases

The study was retrospective and relied on existing data, which may introduce biases in patient selection and data accuracy.

Limitations

Some TB patient isolates were not available for drug susceptibility testing and genotyping, which may underestimate recent transmission.

Participant Demographics

Most MDR patients were aged 30 to 59 years, with a majority being new cases.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004370

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