Treatment outcome of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among Vietnamese immigrants
SETTING: All cases of documented MDR-TB treated by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Vietnam from 1989 to 2000 were reviewed.
METHODS: MDR-TB was defined as isoniazid- and rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All cases of TB treated by the IOM and recorded in the computerised database were reviewed to identify MDR-TB cases. Demographics, chest radiograph results, drug resistance, drug use and dosage, duration of treatment, and outcome were analysed.
RESULTS: Forty-four cases of MDR-TB were identified. Treatment consisted of ambulatory directly observed treatment with an 8-drug protocol: isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, capreomycin, ethionamide, ofloxacin and cycloserine. This initial protocol was modified due to drug availability or drug intolerance. Patients were treated with a median of 8 drugs (range 6–12). Mean duration of treatment for MDR-TB was 23.0 (SD ± 11.4) months. Thirty-eight (86%) patients were cured and emigrated, one failed treatment (2%), three were lost to follow-up (7%) and two died (4%).
CONCLUSION: Treatment for MDR-TB provided by the IOM was effective in preparing a low-income population for migration.
Keywords: migration; multidrug resistant tuberculosis; treatment outcome
Document Type: Regular Paper
Affiliations: 1: Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 2: International Organization for Migration, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Publication date: 01 February 2005
The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.
The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.
- Editorial Board
- Information for Authors
- Subscribe to this Title
- International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
- Public Health Action
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
Receive new issue alert- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content