Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Niger: A 5-year retrospective analysis (2017–2022)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger

2 Action Damien, Niger

3 Laboratoire National de Reference pour le VIH, la tuberculose et la Résistance aux antimicrobiens, Hôpital National Amirou Boubacar Diallo, Niamey, Niger

4 Department of applied biological sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger

5 Department of applied biological sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université Dan Dicko Dankolodo, Maradi, Niger

6 Programme National de lutte contre la tuberculose, Niamey, Niger

7 Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université André Salifou, Niamey, Niger

8 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université André Salifou, Niamey, Niger

9 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger

Abstract

Background: Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is a growing burden globally and is classified as a critical organism. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) and associated risk factors in Niger Republic. Methods: This was a retrospective study, conducted from January 1, 2017, to December 2022 at GeneXpert sites in Niger. GeneXpert MTB/RIF was used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and the resistance to rifampicin. Multivariate logistic analysis was performed to identify risk factors for rifampicin resistance in Niger. Results: A total of 12970 patients were enrolled. The median age of patients was 39 years, with male predominant, sex ratio of 2.70. The overall, prevalence of MTC was 37.69% (4889/12970), among this 4.45% (210/4889) were children. Out of 4889 MTC positive cases, 479 (9.79%) were rifampicin-resistant, all from pulmonary tuberculosis: 111 (23,57%) new cases, 195 (41,40%) therapeutic failure, 153 (32,48%) relapsed cases, 12 (2,55%) treatment abandonment. Based on the univariate analysis, therapeutic failure (p=0.001), relapsed cases (p=0.001), and treatment abandonment (p=0.005), were significantly related to rifampicin resistance in Niger. Based on the multivariate analysis, only therapeutic failure (AOD: 6.62, 95%CI: 5.17-8.51, p<0.001) and relapsed cases (AOD: 3.08, 95%CI: 2.39-3.98, p<0.001) were the independents factors associated with rifampicin resistance. Conclusion: The prevalence of MTC resistance to rifampicin was relatively high in Niger. Therapeutic failure and relapsed cases represented the major factors favoring rifampicin resistance.

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