Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is a growing threat globally. The large increase in the incidence and prevalence of MDR TB in South Africa in recent years has impacted on the way in which MDR TB is managed within the health services. It became logistically difficult to manage MDR TB by treating all patients as in-patients in a specialized tuberculosis (TB) hospital. The clinics, which are run by nurses and/or general medical officers, are then required to manage this more complex form of TB, with limited resources, less experience and assumingly with less MDR TB knowledge. Of particular concern is that shifting of the patient management from specialized TB hospitals to Primary Health Care clinics which might worsen the already poor MDR TB treatment outcomes. There has been minimal assessment of the management of MDR TB at clinic level and hence the comparison of treatment outcomes for those patients initiated on treatment in clinics compared to in-patients in specialized TB hospitals is urgently needed. Aim: To compare the treatment outcomes and the effectiveness of medication regimens provided to MDR TB patients initiated on treatment in specialized TB hospitals as inpatients, to that of MDR TB patients initiated on treatment as outpatients at community clinics within the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Methodology Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, as the length of treatment for a MDR TB patient can be for 24 months or longer and this study was based on treatment outcome data. Study Population and sample: The study population was uncomplicated MDR TB patients initiated on treatment in hospitals and clinics from January 2010 to December 2012. The sample comprised of 568 participants that were laboratory confirmed to have MDR TB and had the outcomes of their treatment recorded in an electronic database or a paper register. Data Collection: The researcher collected MDR TB information from standardized MDR TB registers as well as an electronic MDR TB database. Analysis: Data was analyzed comparing the exposed (clinic initiated) and unexposed (hospital initiated) cohorts incidence of 4 key treatment outcomes, namely: successfully treated, failed treatment, died and defaulted treatment. Bivariate analysis (relative and absolute) was done to determine the cumulative incidence ratio and cumulative incidence difference and multivariate logistic regression analysis for the adjusted odds ratio to control for confounders and effect modifiers. Ethics: Permission to conduct this research was obtained from the relevant authorities. The confidentiality of the participants as per the Department of Health policy and in adherence to general ethical guidelines was strictly maintained. The study proposal received ethical clearance and approval from the University of the Western Cape Research Committee. Results: All participants within this study received the appropriate treatment as per the MDR TB guidelines. The incidence rate for the main outcomes of this study indicated that successfully treated for the clinic initiated participants was 41% and 31% for the hospital initiated participants. ‘Defaulted’ treatment was 39% and 41%, ‘failed’ treatment 7% and 13% and ‘died’ was 14% and 16%, respectively. The clinic initiated participants appeared to have better treatment outcomes on bivariate analysis, however on multivariate analysis, there was no difference in the treatment outcomes of the clinic initiated participants compared to the hospital initiated participants, and therefore the clinic initiated treatment is seen as effective. The time to treatment initiation for clinic and hospital initiated participants is excessively long for both cohorts, with a median of 29 days, and 37 days respectively. The key findings of note in the multivariate analysis is that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive (HIV+) participants provided with antiretrovirals therapy (ART) were, based on adjusted cumulative incidence ratios, 6.6 times more likely to have a successfully treated outcome (95% CI 1.48-29.84), and were 0.2 times less likely to die (95% CI 0.08-0.53). Having a previous cured history of TB and no previous history of TB were 2.9 times more likely to have a successfully treated outcome (95% CI 1.48-5.56) and were 0.1 times (0.04-0.38) less likely to fail treatment. An interesting finding was that participants living in the rural districts were 2.6 times more likely to die. Conclusion: Clinic initiated treatment for uncomplicated MDR TB is as effective as hospital initiated treatment. Also, those provided with ART and those without previous TB or who had a previous bout of TB cured, had better outcomes. Main Recommendations: The Western Cape health department should continue with the decentralization of MDR TB services to the clinics and could safely consider expanding the decentralization to include uncomplicated Preextensively drug-resistant TB and Extensively drug-resistant TB patients. Offering ART to HIV+ patients should be mandatory. The delays in the time to treatment initiation of MDR TB need to be further investigated.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:54:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcia Alves de Souza.pdf: 1923965 bytes, checksum: 3ad1484efad384495579203b0e85259c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-30 / FAPEAM - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / A Tuberculose (TB) é uma doença infecciosa causada pelo complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sendo considerada um grave problema de saúde pública mundial. Atualmente, isolados de M. tuberculosis resistentes a pelo menos um medicamento utilizado no tratamento da TB tem sido documentados em todos os países. De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) a TB multirresistente (TBMR) é definida quando, isolados de M. tuberculosis de pacientes apresentam resistência a pelo menos Isoniazida e Rifampicina, os dois fármacos fundamentais no tratamento da TB. A resistência à Rifampicina tem sido associada às mutações gênicas no bacilo, no gene rpoB (referentes aos códons 531, 526 e 516). Para a Isoniazida, as mutações associadas à resistência têm sido relatadas nos genes katG, inhA, ahpC e kasA, sendo que a mutação no gene katG, referente ao códon 315, tem sido a mais citada para resistência a este fármaco. Neste contexto, métodos moleculares têm sido propostos pra detecção de mutações gênicas, em isolados de M. tuberculosis, que possam estar associadas à resistência aos fármacos. O presente estudo avaliou o desempenho da PCR multiplex alelo específico (PCR-MAS), diretamente em 86 amostras de escarro de pacientes com TB pulmonar multibacilares (n=42) e paucibacilares (n=44) da Policlínica Cardoso Fonte. A PCR-MAS teve como alvos: os genes katG ,inhA e rpoB. A concordância entre a PCR-MAS e o Método de Redução de Nitrato foi avaliada utilizando o teste kappa e a associação entre as mutações gênicas e a resistência fenotípica aos fármacos foi realizada pelo teste exato de Fisher. A análise de concordância, pelo teste kappa, foi realizada entre as PCR-MAS a partir de amostra de escarro e de isolados de M. tuberculosis. A PCR-MAS apresentou fraca concordância com o Método de Redução de Nitrato, pois de 18 amostras resistentes à Isoniazida, apenas em 4 (22,2%) foram detectadas as mutações para o gene katG ou inhA. No entanto, a avaliação da sensibilidade fenotípica à Rifampicina, apresentou boa concordância com a PCR-MAS (kappa = 0,7237), quando as amostras foram de pacientes de TB pulmonar multibacilar. Além disso, houve associação da presença de mutações no gene rpoB com resistência fenotípica à Rifampicina (p = 0.0014). Em relação a concordância entre as PCR-MAS, de amostras de escarro e seus respectivos isolados de M. tuberculosis, o desempenho foi excelente quando testados em amostras de pacientes com TB pulmonar multibacilar, para detecção de mutações no gene rpoB (kappa = 0,7742). Portanto, os resultados obtidos com a PCR-MAS, a partir de amostras de escarros, foram satisfatórios e poderão ser utilizados para monitorar e pesquisar as mutações associada à resistência à Rifampicina em pacientes de TB multibacilar na rede básica de saúde, pois é um teste rápido, reprodutível e de menor custo.

Thesis (MScMedSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), defined as having resistance to at least the first-line drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin (RIF), is a global health problem. Mutations in the rpoB gene, encoding the β-subunit of RNA polymerase, are implicated in RIF resistance - with the S531L and H526Y mutations occurring most frequently. The level of RIF resistance varies for strains with identical rpoB mutations, which suggests that other factors play a role in RIF resistance. Efflux has been implicated in determining the intrinsic level of RIF resistance. Increased expression of the multidrug efflux pump, Rv1258c, following RIF exposure was observed in some Mycobacterium tuberculosis MDR clinical isolates and H37Rv RIF mono-resistant mutants, but not others. The factors influencing the induction of Rv1258c are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rpoB mutations on expression of Rv1258c and whiB7, a transcriptional regulator of Rv1258c, in M. tuberculosis H37Rv in vitro generated RIF resistant mutants, in the absence and presence of RIF. The promoter region of M. tuberculosis H37Rv Rv1258c was cloned into a position upstream of a lacZ gene (encoding β-galactosidase) in multi-copy episomal and integrating vectors. Vector functioning and the effect of rpoB mutations on Rv1258c promoter activity were initially investigated in the non-pathogenic related species, Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 rpoB mutants and subsequently in M. tuberculosis by doing β-galactosidase assays. qRT-PCR was done to investigate the effects of rpoB mutations on native Rv1258c and whiB7 gene expression. Episomal and integrating vectors were functional and the integrating vector system was used for subsequent β-galactosidase assays in M. tuberculosis. Rv1258c promoter activity in the S531L mutant was approximately 1.5 times less and in the H526Y mutant 1.5 times higher than that of the wild-type in M. smegmatis. Similarly, Rv1258c promoter activity in the S531L mutant was approximately half and in the H526Y mutant approximately double that of the wild-type in M. tuberculosis. A similar trend in Rv1258c and whiB7 expression to those observed using β-galactosidase assays were observed when investigating the native Rv1258c and whiB7 gene transcript levels compared to the wild-type using qRT-PCR, although differences were not significant. Exposure of the M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis rpoB mutants to sub-inhibitory levels of RIF did not affect Rv1258c promoter activity. Mutations in rpoB had a marginal effect on Rv1258c and whiB7 transcript levels, but showed the same trend as that seen for Rv1258c promoter activity. It remains to be determined whether these differences are biologically significant. When considering efflux pumps as new targets for treatment, possible differences in efflux pumps expression due to different rpoB mutations should be considered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Multi-middel weerstandige tuberkulose (MDR-TB) word gedefinieer as weerstandigheid tot ten minste rifampisien (RIF) en isoniasied, wat deel van die eerstelyn anti-tuberkulose behandeling vorm. Mutasies in die rpoB geen, wat die β-subeenheid van die RNA polimerase enkodeer, word geassosieer met RIF weerstandigheid. S531L en H526Y rpoB mutasies kom die algemeenste voor. RIF weerstandigheids vlakke verskil egter tussen isolate met identiese rpoB mutasies, wat impliseer dat ander faktore ook 'n rol in RIF weerstandigheid speel. 'n Toename in transkripsie van die Rv1258c geen, wat 'n multi-middel effluks pomp enkodeer, is waargeneem met blootstelling aan RIF, slegs in sommige M. tuberculosis H37Rv RIF mono-weerstandige mutante and MDR kliniese isolate, maar nie in ander nie. Die faktore wat die induksie van die Rv1258c effluks pomp beïnvloed is nie goed nagevors nie. Die studie ondersoek die effek van die rpoB mutasies op die uitdrukking van die Rv1258c en whiB7,'n transkripsionele regulator van Rv1258c, gene in M. tuberculosis H37Rv in vitro gegenereerde RIF weerstandige mutante, in die teenwoordigheid en afwesigheid van RIF. Die promotor area van die M. tuberculosis H37Rv Rv1258c geen is in 'n posisie stroomop van 'n lacZ geen, wat vir β-galaktosidase enkodeer, in multi-kopie episomale en integreerende vektors ingekloneer. Die funksionaliteit van die vektor en effek van rpoB mutasies op Rv1258c promotor aktiwiteit is ondersoek in die naverwante nie-patogeniese spesies, M. smegmatis en daarna in M. tuberculosis deur β-galaktosidase essais te doen. qRT-PCR is gedoen om die effek van rpoB mutasies op die vlak van transkripsie van die natuurlike Rv1258c geen en die whiB7 geen te bestudeer. Beide die episomale en integreerende vektors was funksioneel en daar is besluit om die integreerende vektor vir daaropeenvolgende β-galaktosidase essais in M. tuberculosis te gebruik. Rv1258c promotor aktiwiteit van die S531L mutant was ongeveer 1.5 keer minder as en die van die H526Y mutant 1.5 keer hoër as die van die ongemuteerde bakterië in M. smegmatis. Soortgelyk was die Rv1258c promoter aktiwiteit van die S531L mutant ongeveer die helfde van en die van H526Y mutant ongeveer dubbel die van die ongemuteerde bakterië in M. tuberculosis 'n Soortgelyke neiging in die vlakke van Rv1258c en whiB7 transkripte van die natuurlike geen is gedurende qRT-PCR waargeneem alhoewel die verskille nie beduidend was nie. Blootstelling aan sub-inhibitoriese konsentrasies van RIF het geen effek op Rv1258c uitdrukking in die M. smegmatis of M. tuberculosis rpoB mutante gehad nie. Die rpoB mutasies het net 'n effense effek op Rv1258c en whiB7 transkrip vlakke in M. tuberculosis rpoB mutante, maar transkrip vlakke het 'n soortgelyke neiging as die Rv1258c promoter aktiwiteit getoon. Of die waargenome verskille biologies betekenisvol is, moet nog bepaal word. Indien effluks pompe as teikens vir bahandeling gebruik sou word, moet in ag geneem word dat effluks pompe moontlik verskillend uitgedruk word in verskillende rpoB mutante. / The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University / DAAD-NRF in Country Scholarship and Ernst and Ethel Eriksen Trust / Harry Crossley Foundation

MCur / Department of Advanced Nursing Science

This quantitative, descriptive study investigated risk factors for MDR-TB in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 439 medical records belonging to MDR-TB and non MDR-TB patients managed in public health centres from January 2008 to December 2011 were analysed. Data were transcribed from each TB patient‟s medical records using a specifically designed checklist. The findings revealed that male gender, previous history of TB treatment, poor treatment adherence, an outcome of failure after TB re-treatment, previous category of failure, pulmonary involvement of TB infection and HIV infection were associated with MDR-TB. The findings illustrate that efforts should be made to prioritise the development and implementation of effective MDR TB screening and treatment protocols for these high risk groups to improve treatment outcome and minimize the emergence of XDR TB. / Health Studies / M. Public Health

This quantitative, descriptive study investigated risk factors for MDR-TB in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 439 medical records belonging to MDR-TB and non MDR-TB patients managed in public health centres from January 2008 to December 2011 were analysed. Data were transcribed from each TB patient‟s medical records using a specifically designed checklist. The findings revealed that male gender, previous history of TB treatment, poor treatment adherence, an outcome of failure after TB re-treatment, previous category of failure, pulmonary involvement of TB infection and HIV infection were associated with MDR-TB. The findings illustrate that efforts should be made to prioritise the development and implementation of effective MDR TB screening and treatment protocols for these high risk groups to improve treatment outcome and minimize the emergence of XDR TB. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)