Prevalence and Characteristics of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Notified in Abu Anga Hospital, Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Background: In 2020, there were 5.8 million cases of tuberculosis worldwide, making it a substantial public health concern. Drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which are characterized by increased morbidity and mortality, have become a significant threat to the global control of tuberculosis. Objective: To determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis reported at Abu Anga Hospital in Khartoum State between 2020 and 2022 is the goal of this investigation. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 samples were used in this retrospective analysis to identify MTB/RIF. From January 2020 to December 2022, use the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay to quickly identify M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains and identify rifampicin-associated mutations of the rpoB gene directly from sputum samples. Results: All 204 samples tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), with confirmed drug resistance in all cases. Among drug-resistant TB cases, the prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 49 (24.0%) in 2020, increased to 97 (47.5%) in 2021, and then declined to 58 (28.5%) in 2022. New MDR-TB diagnoses predominated (134, 65.7%) compared to other categories. Rifampicin resistance (RR) was the most frequent pattern (162, 79.4%), followed by MDR-TB (41, 20.1%) and isoniazid monoresistance (1, 0.5%). Males represented most cases (134, 65.7%), and pulmonary TB was the primary presentation (193, 94.6%). Conclusions:  Since tuberculosis (TB) is the second leading infectious disease-related cause of death worldwide, especially among individuals with co-infections of HIV and TB, its detection and treatment remain top priorities for all countries. According to the study's findings, MDR was more prevalent. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common form of TB in 2021, and rifampicin was the most common drug-resistant type. These findings highlight the ongoing challenges of TB and antibiotic resistance in Khartoum. It is also advised to establish additional treatment centers in rural areas of Sudan, along with programs that promote treatment adherence, such as patient counseling, to improve future outcomes.