Detection of Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Suspected Patients in Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: We determine the prevalence of TB and MDRTB within the study population. Methodology: The sampling consists of 192 (54.4%) males and 161 (45.6%) females.  Ziehel Neelsen staining method was used for the detection of Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) in the sputum samples collected. Rifampicin resistant (MDRTB) isolates were detected by GeneXpert and the conventional PCR technique. Results: In this study, 6 (9.5%) out of the 63 positive samples were rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in which 4(6.3%) were found among females and 2 (3.2%) were found among males. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis was not dependent on gender statistically in this study P>0.05. Secondary institution among the health care centers had highest cases of tuberculosis18 (33.3%) while tertiary institute had higher rifampicin resistant tuberculosis 5(2.5%). Statistically there was significant relationship between occurrence of tuberculosis and health care centers p<0.05. Conclusion: There is need to establish more reference laboratories within the country in order to address the rising cases of tuberculosis. There is also need for urgent attention of the government and other developmental partners to address the rising cases of MTB and MDRTB which is outside the expected ratio of 3:1 (male : female) stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and to conduct a national tuberculosis drug resistance survey so as to determine the actual burden of MDRTB in Nigeria.