Extensively resistant tuberculosis, Colombia, 2006-2016

Abstract

Introduction: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a result of deficiencies in the administration of treatment and transmission of the disease, being a challenge for national programs of tuberculosis control. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the cases diagnosed in Colombia. Materials and methods: Case series study, performed on people diagnosed with XDRTB during 2006 to 2016 in Colombia. Information source: unique surveillance format and database of the national reference laboratory. The variables territorial entity of origin, gender, age, affiliation regime, form of tuberculosis, tuberculosis-HIV coinfection, sensitivity pattern to second line drugs and live/dead outcome were analyzed. Results: In this period, 51 XDR-TB cases have been diagnosed, with an annual average of five cases. Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Atlantico present 90% (46) of cases. Age range: 5 to 81 years, median: 40 years. There were 28 men (55%) of the cases. Subsidized affiliation regime: 63% (32/51). Pulmonary form: 90% (46/51). TB-HIV coinfection: 13.6% (3/22). The drugs with greater resistance: ofloxacin 90% (45/51) and amikacin 86% (43/51). Dead unlink: 57% (29/51). Conclusion: XDR-TB occurred mainly in pulmonary forms increasing the probability of transmission in the community, which is reflected in the appearance of resistance in children under 15 years of age. The most affected population is economically active, with high mortality. The national program of tuberculosis control must generate strategies to avoid the spread of resistance that is affecting children and the economically active population, with high mortality.