Infection and Drug Resistance (Dec 2021)
Explorative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes of Levofloxacin- and Moxifloxacin-Based Regimens and Outcome Predictors in Ethiopian MDR-TB Patients: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Abstract
Temesgen Sidamo,1 Workineh Shibeshi,1 Getnet Yimer,2 Eleni Aklillu,3 Ephrem Engidawork1 1Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Global One Health Initiative, Office of International Affairs, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; 3Department of Laboratory of Medicine Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, C-168 141 86, SwedenCorrespondence: Ephrem EngidaworkDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences¸ Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaTel +251911408336Email [email protected]/Background: Although Ethiopia is among the thirty high multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden countries in the world, comparative therapeutic efficacy of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin has not been explored, particularly in MDR-TB patients. We therefore aimed to prospectively compare clinical outcomes and determine potential predictors of the outcomes among patients on moxifloxacin or levofloxacin-based MDR-TB drug regimens.Methods: We analyzed clinical parameters and laboratory data of eighty MDR-TB patients on moxifloxacin- or levofloxacin-based regimens. The clinical outcomes were compared using the Kaplan–Meier survival functions and the outcome definitions of the 2013 World Health Organization. Monthly sputum culture conversions and a molecular line probe assay results were also assessed. Observed outcomes and patient-related variables between the two groups were compared using chi-square, Wilcoxon Rank and Fisher exact tests. We also determined the potential predictors influencing treatment outcomes of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin using Cox proportional hazard model.Results: The levofloxacin-based treatment group had a lower failure rate and adverse drug events as well as better treatment success than the moxifloxacin-based group. Overall treatment success was 65%. Disaggregating the data revealed that 53.8% were cured, 11.2% completed treatment, 10.0% died, 11.2% failed, and 13.8% were lost-to-follow-up. The line probe assay result showed that 11.3% of the clinical isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones and 3.8% were resistant to both fluoroquinolones and injectable anti-TB agents. Treatment regimen type, culture conversion rate, alcohol use, cavity lesion, serum levels of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase were independent predictors of treatment outcome.Conclusion: The levofloxacin-based regimen group has a better overall treatment success than the moxifloxacin-based group among MDR-TB patients. Clinical parameters and substance use history of the patients influenced treatment outcomes. We recommend further broader clinical studies to substantiate our findings as an input to review MDR-TB treatment guidelines.Keywords: MDR-TB, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, line probe assay, treatment outcome, sputum culture conversion, Ethiopia
