Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Infection in Children

Analysis of Factors Influencing Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Validation of Whole-Genome Sequencing in Children with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Objective

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of death in children. Our study was to analyze influencing factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and validation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) used in children with drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).

Methods

All Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains were isolated from patients aged below 18 years old of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China. A total of 208 Mtb isolates were tested for eight anti-TB drugs with phenotypic drug susceptibility test (DST) and for genetic prediction of the susceptible profile with WGS. The patients corresponding to each strain were grouped according to drug resistance and genotype. Influencing factors of MDR-TB and DR-TB were analyzed.

Results

According to the phenotypic DST and WGS, 82.2% of Mtb strains were susceptible to all eight drugs, and 6.3% were MDR-TB. Using the phenotypic DSTs as the gold standard, the kappa value of WGS to predict isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, rifapentine, prothionamide, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and amikacin was 0.84, 0.89, 0.59, 0.86, 0.89, 0.82, 0.88 and 1.00, respectively. There was significant difference in the distribution of severe TB, diagnosis, treatment and outcome between MDR and drug-susceptible group (P<0.05). The distribution of severe TB and treatment between DR and drug-susceptible group was statistically different (P<0.05). The results of binary logistic regression showed that Calmette–Guérin bacillus (BCG) vaccine is the protective factor for MDR-TB (OR=0.19), and MDR-TB is the risk factor for PTB and EPTB (OR=17.98).

Conclusion

The BCG vaccine is a protective factor for MDR-TB, and MDR-TB might not be confined to pulmonary infection, spreading to extrapulmonary organs in children. MDR-TB had more severe cases and a lower recovery rate than drug-susceptible TB. WGS could provide an accurate prediction of drug susceptibility test results for anti-TB drugs, which are needed for the diagnosis and precise treatment of TB in children.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Glance at Progress and Global Challenges

Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a major public health threat; its management poses a significant economic burden. Treatment requires a programmatic approach with access to laboratory services, second-line medications, and adequate clinical resources. In recent years, we have seen rapid developments in diagnostic techniques with whole genome sequencing-based drug susceptibility prediction now in reach, an array of new drugs that transform treatment regimens to purely oral formulations, and a steady stream of multinational trials that inform us about most efficient combinations. Our hope is that the current momentum keeps the ambitious goal to end tuberculosis in 2030 in reach.

Miliary tuberculosis and choroidal tuberculoma in a three-month old baby girl: Diagnosis and follow-up of a case

A three-month old baby girl presented with fever of unknown origin and with signs of worsening of this episode. Funduscopy showed a solitary choroidal lesion in her left eye, as well as extraocular lesions suggesting disseminated tuberculosis. A favourable outcome was achieved after quadruple antibiotic course and cortisone therapy. Disseminated tuberculosis should be considered in cases of fever of unknown origin in children with an unsatisfactory evolution. Ocular examination is mandatory, due to the possible posterior uveitis signs that can help with early diagnosis and treatment of some diseases.

Challenges and controversies in childhood tuberculosis

Children bear a substantial burden of suffering when it comes to tuberculosis. Ironically, they are often left out of the scientific and public health advances that have led to important improvements in tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention over the past decade. This Series paper describes some of the challenges and controversies in paediatric tuberculosis, including the epidemiology and treatment of tuberculosis in children. Two areas in which substantial challenges and controversies exist (ie, diagnosis and prevention) are explored in more detail. This Series paper also offers possible solutions for including children in all efforts to end tuberculosis, with a focus on ensuring that the proper financial and human resources are in place to best serve children exposed to, infected with, and sick from all forms of tuberculosis.

Monitoring Treatment of Childhood Tuberculosis and the Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Most children tolerate the first-line antibiotics used to treat Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) very well. The most common adverse effect is gastrointestinal distress unrelated to hepatotoxicity; the latter is seen in less than 1% of children. Despite the infrequency of hepatotoxicity, the potential long-term impact of hepatic insufficiency dictates that all children receiving antimycobacterial therapy should be evaluated periodically by symptom screening and physical examination. Routine measurement of transaminases in previously healthy, asymptomatic children is discouraged, as up to 40% of children will have transient, asymptomatic transaminase elevation that should not alter clinical management; measurement of serum liver enzymes is reserved for children who develop symptoms and those with existing liver disease or taking other potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Caregivers and personnel distributing directly-observed therapy need to be cognizant of potential drug toxicities and have a clear understanding of what to do if a child develops symptoms. There are substantial inter-patient variations in serum antibiotic concentrations when the same milligram per kilogram dose is given to different children of varying ages and sizes, reflecting differences in drug absorption and metabolism. While these variations may not impact the outcome of previously healthy children with mild disease, outcomes for children with human immunodeficiency virus infection or severe disease can be worse if sub-therapeutic drug concentrations are achieved. Therapeutic drug monitoring, wherein serum drug concentrations are used to optimize medication doses, should be considered for children with severe disease or if there is concern about alterations in drug absorption or metabolism.

Advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis in children

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health threat and is one of the top ten causes of death in children. There are a number of diagnostic, treatment, and preventive innovations that have been developed in the last decade for TB, however, these are out of reach for many children in the world. Areas covered: A comprehensive review of the literature on TB in children was done using PubMed and Ovid databases from 1 January 1996 up to 31 October 2018. Topic areas covered included diagnosis of TB, treatment of TB (including novel medications and regimens), prevention of DR-TB, and support to achieve the best possible outcomes. Each of these areas are explored in more detail in the paper. Expert commentary: There is great potential for radical changes in the way all forms of TB are diagnosed, treated and prevented in children. If there is continued advocacy and adequate funding and accountability, it could be possible to make great strides toward eliminating TB in children in the next ten years.