Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (Aug 2024)

An Overview of the Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Six French-Speaking African Countries from 2018 to 2022

  • Gisèle Badoum,
  • Abdoul R. Ouédraogo,
  • Attannon A. Fiogbé,
  • Albert Kuate Kuate,
  • Alphazazi Soumana,
  • Yacine Mar Diop,
  • Mohammed F. Dogo,
  • Olivia B. Mbitikon,
  • Adjima Combary,
  • Gildas Agodokpessi,
  • Dissou Affolabi,
  • Annie Bisso,
  • Dona R. Atimbada,
  • Sonia Menon,
  • Kobto G. Koura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9080176
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 8
p. 176

Abstract

Read online

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. The prevalence and management of DR-TB in African countries require comprehensive strategies to improve patient outcomes and control the spread of the disease. Aggregated routine data (from 2018 to 2022) on multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) were collected from the National TB Programs (NTPs) from all six countries. The diagnostic capacity for MDR-TB was globally insufficient. The system for collecting and transporting samples was sometimes inoperative. A total of 2353 cases of MDR-TB were reported, with 86.4% receiving treatment. The gap between the expected number of MDR-TB cases and the number reported per country varied from 51.5% to 88.0%, depending on the year. Fifty-two extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB cases received treatment regimens over five years, with variations across countries. All patients received free follow-up examinations, nutritional and financial support for travel expenses to the outpatient care and treatment centers. The MDR-TB treatment success rates for all regimens between 2018 and 2021 ranged from 44.4 to 90.9%, varying by country and year. The information system relied on primary tools, reporting tools, and digital solutions. Progress has been made in MDR-TB management; however, challenges persist, necessitating resources to enhance access to rapid molecular screening tests.

Keywords