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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Emergence and treatment of multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis in South Africa
Infection, Genetics and Evolution, Volume 12, No. 4, Year 2012
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Description
Drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) has reached alarming proportions in South Africa, draining valuable resources that are needed to fight drug susceptible TB. It is currently estimated that 9.6% of all TB cases have multi-drug resistant (MDR)-TB, thereby ranking South Africa as one of the highest MDR-TB burden countries in the world. Molecular epidemiological studies have demonstrated the complexity of the epidemic and have clearly shown that the epidemic is driven by transmission as a consequence of low cases detection and diagnostic delay. The latter has in turn fueled the amplification of drug resistance, ultimately leading to the emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR)-TB. Despite the introduction of new drugs to combat this scourge, culture conversion rates for XDR-TB remain below 20%. Failure to achieve cure may be explained from DNA sequencing results which have demonstrated mutations in 7 genes encoding resistance to at least 8 anti-TB drugs. This review shows how molecular epidemiology has provided novel insights into the MDR-TB epidemic in South Africa and thereby has highlighted the challenges that need to be addressed regarding the diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB. An important step towards for curbing this epidemic will be collaboration between clinicians, laboratories and researchers to establish scientific knowledge and medical expertise to more efficiently guide public health policy. © 2011 Elsevier B.V..
Authors & Co-Authors
Streicher, Elizabeth Maria
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Müller, Borna
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Chihota, Violet N.
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
South Africa, Johannesburg
The Aurum Institute
Mlambo, Charmaine Khudzie
Unknown Affiliation
Tait, Marisa
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Pillay, Manormoney
South Africa, Durban
University of Kwazulu-natal
Trollip, André Phillip
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Hoek, Kim Gilberte Pauline
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Sirgel, Frederick Adriaan
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Gey van Pittius, Nicolaas Claudius
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Van Helden, Paul D.
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Victor, Thomas Calldo
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Warren, Robin Mark
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Statistics
Citations: 77
Authors: 13
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.meegid.2011.07.019
ISSN:
15671348
e-ISSN:
15677257
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Study Locations
South Africa