Risk factors for recurrent tuberculosis after successful treatment in a high burden setting: a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People successfully completing treatment for tuberculosis remain at elevated risk for recurrent disease, either from relapse or reinfection. Identifying risk factors for recurrent tuberculosis may help target post-tuberculosis screening and care.

Methods

We enrolled 500 patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa and collected baseline data on demographics, clinical presentation and sputum mycobacterial cultures for 24-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing. We used routinely-collected administrative data to identify recurrent episodes of tuberculosis occurring over a median of six years after successful treatment completion.

Results

Of 500 patients initially enrolled, 333 (79

SUBMITTER: Cudahy PGT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7585300 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature