Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis among Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Eastern Sudan

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is increasing throughout the world. Although previous treatment for TB is the most important risk factor for development of MDR-TB, treatment-naive patients are also at risk due to either spontaneous mutations or transmission of drug-resistant strains. The main objective of this study to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB among new and retreatment cases of sputum-positive pulmonary TB in Eastern Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study involving retreatment and newly diagnosed cases of sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis between November 2011 to October 2012 was carried out in Eastern Sudan. All sputum specimens were positive smear TB were subjected to Line Probe assay, culture and drug susceptibility test (DST) for first-line drug. MDR-TB was defined as TB caused by bacilli showing resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. Results: A total of 109 cases of sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled. Out of 109 patients screened (88 new case patients and 21 previously treated case patients); MDR TB prevalence was 4(36.36%) and 7 (63.64%) among new case-patients and previously treated case patients, respectively. The age group 31-45 years was recorded the highest frequency of MDR-TB infection 5 (45.45%). Females were more affected than Males 7 (63.6%) and 4 (36.4%) respectively. Among the MDR cases only one patient was HIV positive and it was new case. Discussion and conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of MDR tuberculosis among the new and retreatment cases in Kassala State is much higher than what was reported previously. This is the first study in Geddarif state and there were no previous studies documented or were published, other studies is needed to know the really reasons of the continuously increasing of MDR TB in Geddarif and Kassala states.