Potential of rapid diagnosis for controlling drug-susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis in communities where Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections are highly prevalent
Date
2009
Authors
Uys P.W.
Warren R.
Van Helden P.D.
Murray M.
Victor T.C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The long-term persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in communities with high tuberculosis prevalence is a serious problem aggravated by the presence of drug-resistant tuberculosis strains. Drug resistance in an individual patient is often discovered only after a long delay, particularly if the diagnosis is based on current culture-based drug sensitivity testing methods. During such delays, the patient may transmit tuberculosis to his or her contacts. Rapid diagnosis of drug resistance would be expected to reduce this transmission and hence to decrease the prevalence of drug-resistant strains. To investigate this quantitatively, a mathematical model was constructed, assuming a homogeneous population structure typical of communities in South Africa where tuberculosis incidence is high. Computer simulations performed with this model showed that current control strategies will not halt the spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in such communities. The simulations showed that the rapid diagnosis of drug resistance can be expected to reduce the incidence of drug-resistant cases provided the additional measure of screening within the community is implemented. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Description
Keywords
article, computer assisted diagnosis, computer simulation, controlled study, drug sensitivity, epidemiological data, incidence, infection control, mathematical model, multidrug resistant tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, population structure, prevalence, priority journal, South Africa, Computer Simulation, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial, Humans, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Models, Theoretical, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, South Africa, Time Factors, Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Citation
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
47
5
47
5