Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Associated Factors Among Presumptive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) remains a major public health problem worldwide, and emergence of drug-resistant TB has become a significant obstacle to effective TB control. However, the rate of MTB and rifampicin resistant-MTB (RR-MTB) in the Nepalese setting has not been studied extensively. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the rate of MTB and RR-MTB and further determine the factors associated with it. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study, among national representative data of 990 consecutive presumptive TB resister of patients subjected to the GeneXpert test that presented to the tuberculosis referral hospital, was conducted over a one year period from February 2018 to January 2019. Significance for the difference for categorical data was performed by Chi-square test and factors associated with MTB and RR-MTB were assessed using binary logistic regression yielding OR with 95%CI. RESULTS: Of total 990 presumptive tuberculosis analyzed cases, median ages of the patients were 39±19.09 years and two-thirds of the patients were male 653 (66.0%). The estimated prevalence of MTB in presumptive TB patients was 13.8% (95%CI: 11.88%–16.16%), and risk for MTB was significantly associated with previously treated patients: OR: 10.4 (P<0.001). The estimated prevalence of RR-MTB in MTB confirmed patients was 10.2% (4.97%–15.1%). Our study confirmed no association of RR-TB with age, sex, ethnicity, geographical diversity and previous history of treatment failure (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of MTB and RR-MTB was high in Nepalese study population, and that being previously treated with anti-TB drug remained significant predictors for MTB; proactive measures are urgently needed to address the challenge of prompt diagnosis, early management and improved monitoring of treatment to limit the emergence drug-resistant MTB strains in the community.