Transmission of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Drug-resistant tuberculosis threatens recent gains in the treatment of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide. A widespread epidemic of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis is occurring in South Africa, where cases have increased substantially since 2002. The factors driving this rapid increase have not been fully elucidated, but such knowledge is needed to guide public health interventions.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study involving 404 participants in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, with a diagnosis of XDR tuberculosis between 2011 and 2014. Interviews and medical-record reviews were used to elicit information on the participants' history of tuberculosis and HIV infection, hospitalizations, and social netwo

SUBMITTER: Shah NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5330208 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature