Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the efficacy of a rifabutin (RBU)-containing regimen for the treatment of RBU-susceptible multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
METHODS: From 256 patients diagnosed with MDR-TB at Asan Medical Center in South Korea between January 2006 and December 2010, 39 patients (15.2%) were susceptible to RBU. Of these 39 patients, nine patients who were appropriately treated with a RBU-containing regimen were included. Twenty-seven MDR-TB patients who were resistant to RBU, were selected as a control group, and the outcomes of both groups were retrospectively compared.
RESULTS: In the nine patients with RBU-susceptible MDR-TB, their mean age was 43.7 years and the proportion of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) was 44.4% (4/9). Baseline characteristics and the drug resistance pattern (except RBU) did not differ between the two groups. Treatment success was achieved in all nine patients in the RBU group: cure in six (66.7%) and treatment completion in three (33.3%). On the other hand, the treatment success rate was 48.1% (13/27) and treatment failed in 14 (51.9%) of the 27 patients in the control group (p = 0.012).
CONCLUSIONS: RBU seems to be useful in the treatment of MDR-TB in patients who are susceptible to RBU.
- © 2012 ERS