Rifampicin resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected individuals using GeneXpert MTB/RIF ultra: a hospital-based study

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with rifampicin (RIF)-resistant tuberculosis using GeneXpert technology. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 among tuberculosis (TB)-infected Cameroonian patients in the Littoral Region using records from patients presenting with clinically suspected or documented TB. The patients were screened for TB using GeneXpert MDR/RIF ultra. Data were documented with an ad hoc survey form and analysed with SPSS version 22. Results: 153 patients were included in the study. 64.1% were males; mean age was 37.9 ± 14.7 years and median age 37 years (range: 2–82). Most patients were new cases (76.4%). Relapses accounted for 8.5% and recurrences for 2.6%. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed among 98.7% patients using mostly sputum samples (85%). The prevalence of RIF resistance was 6.7% (95% CI: 3.4%–12.7%). This prevalence was significantly higher in samples of mucus and mucopurulent aspect (P-value = 0.04). RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis strains were significantly more frequent among relapses than new cases (23.1% vs. 2.3% P-value < 0.0001). A statistically significant association was found between GeneXpert-based quantification results and type and aspect of samples. Conclusion: This study confirms the circulation of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis strains in the Littoral region. There is a need for extensive studies in other parts of the country.