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Background Outcomes of retreatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) are rarely reported. We report 'definitive outcomes' after a cascade approach to RR-TB treatment. After a bacteriologically adverse outcome for the 9-months fluoroquinolone-based Short Treatment Regimen (STR), patients were retreated with a bedaquiline-based regimen (BDQ-regimen). Methods A Retrospective cohort study of RR-TB patients treated with the STR during 2012–2019 and retreated with a BDQ-regimen in case of failure or relapse was conducted. Definitive relapse-free cure took into account BDQ-regimen outcomes. Results Of 367 patients treated with the STR, 20 (5.4%) experienced failure or relapse. Out of these 20 patients, 14 started a BDQ-regimen, of whom none experienced failure or relapse. Definitive end of treatment outcomes of STR after revising with third-line BDQ-regimen outcomes, 84.7% (311/367) were cured relapse-free, 10.6% (39/367) died during treatment and 3.0% (11/367) were lost to follow-up during treatment with either the STR or BDQ-regimen. Six patients (1.6%; 6/367) with STR failure/relapse died before starting a BDQ-regimen. No patient had definitive treatment failure or relapse and remained without treatment. Conclusions If fluoroquinolone resistance is excluded or rare, it is beneficial to use fluoroquinolone as the core drug for a first RR-TB treatment regimen and to safeguard bedaquiline for those in need of retreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report 2 cases for whom Xpert MTB/RIF falsely signaled rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, based on unusually low cycle threshold and 3 of 5 probes missing. Other mycobacterial tests were negative. Further optimization of the Xpert MTB/RIF algorithm is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A drug resistance survey is an essential public health management tool for evaluating and improving the performance of National Tuberculosis control programmes. The current manuscript describes the implementation of the first national drug resistance survey in Tanzania. Methods: Description of the implementation process of a national anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Tanzania, in relation to the study protocol and Standard Operating Procedures. Results: Factors contributing positively to the implementation of the survey were a continuous commitment of the key stakeholders, the existence of a well organized National Tuberculosis Programme, and a detailed design of cluster-specific arrangements for rapid sputum transportation. Factors contributing negatively to the implementation were a long delay between training and actual survey activities, limited monitoring of activities, and an unclear design of the data capture forms leading to difficulties in form-filling. Conclusion: Careful preparation of the survey, timing of planned activities, a strong emphasis on data capture tools and data management, and timely supervision are essential for a proper implementation of a national drug resistance survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]