Low rate of emergence of drug resistance in sputum positive patients treated with short course chemotherapy

Tuberculosis Research Centre , Chennai (2001) Low rate of emergence of drug resistance in sputum positive patients treated with short course chemotherapy. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 5 (1). pp. 40-45. ISSN Print: 1027-3719; Online: 1815-7920

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Abstract

SETTING: Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai. OBJECTIVE: To study the emergence of drug resistance during treatment and relapse among sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated with shortcourse chemotherapy regimens. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of randomised clinical trials using the following regimens: 2HRZE7/6HE7, 2HRZE2/4HRE2, 2HRZE3/4HR2 and 3HRZE3/3HR2. Emergence of resistance was analysed in patients with unfavourable response/relapse based on culture and susceptibility reports. RESULTS: Of 1817 patients studied, 1435 (79%) had susceptible strains prior to treatment; 2% of these had an unfavourable response, 7% relapsed and 1% had emergence of resistance to isoniazid, rifampicin, or both. In 320 patients with initial isoniazid resistance, 19% had an unfavourable response and 13% relapsed, while resistance to rifampicin emerged in 11%. Treatment outcomes were similar whether patients received three or two drugs in the continuation phase. Data on resistance to ethambutol and pyrazinamide were not available. CONCLUSION: In this study, the overall emergence of resistance to rifampicin occurred in only 2% of patients, despite the high level (18%) of initial resistance to isoniazid. Thus, standardised short-course treatment carries only a minimal risk of emergence of rifampicin resistance.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Study Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords:	tuberculosis; emergence of drug resistance; short-course chemotherapy; rifampicin resistance
Subjects:	Tuberculosis > Clinical Research
Divisions:	Clinical Research
Depositing User:	Dr. Rathinasabapati R
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2013 06:54
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2016 07:14
URI:	http://eprints.nirt.res.in/id/eprint/541

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