Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype Beijing: About 15 strains and their part in MDR-TB outbreaks in Algeria

Mycobacterium bovis Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Algeria

We analyzed 98 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates collected in 2 regions of Algeria in 2015–2018 from 93 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. We identified 93/98 isolates as M. tuberculosis lineage 4 and 1 isolate as M. tuberculosis lineage 2 (Beijing). We confirmed 4 isolates as M. bovis by whole-genome sequencing.

Map the gap: missing children with drug-resistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

The lack of published information about children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an obstacle to efforts to advocate for better diagnostics and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the lack of recognition in the published literature of MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in children.

DESIGN

We conducted a systematic search of the literature published in countries that reported any MDR- or XDR-TB case by 2012 to identify MDR- or XDR-TB cases in adults and in children.

RESULTS

Of 184 countries and territories that reported any case of MDR-TB during 2005-2012, we identified adult MDR-TB cases in the published literature in 143 (78%) countries and pediatric MDR-TB cases in 78 (42%) countries. Of the 92 countries that reported any case of XDR-TB, we identified adult XDR-TB cases in the published literature in 55 (60%) countries and pediatric XDR-TB cases for 9 (10%) countries.

CONCLUSION

The absence of publications documenting child MDR- and XDR-TB cases in settings where MDR- and XDR-TB in adults have been reported indicates both exclusion of childhood disease from the public discourse on drug-resistant TB and likely underdetection of sick children. Our results highlight a large-scale lack of awareness about children with MDR- and XDR-TB.