Work

Time to Sputum Culture Conversion and Associated Factors in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Niger

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Culture conversion is a key indicator for monitoring the success of treatment in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and enables the daily dose of drugs to be adjusted.This study aimed to determine the sputum culture conversion time of MDR-TB patients and their related factors in Niger.Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted among MDR-TB patients from 2008 to 2020.GeneXpert, culture, and drug susceptibility tests were performed for each patient.A multivariate logistic analysis was performed to determine factors associated with sputum culture conversion.A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 517 patients with MDR-TB followed up in various MDR-TB units in Niger were included.These patients consisted of 83.2% males with a mean age of 34±11.8years.The frequency of culture conversion after initiation of treatment was 92.8%, with 15.7% in the 1st month and 64.9% in the 2nd month.In multivariate logistic analysis, the predictive factors positively associated with delayed culture conversion were age over 40 years (odds ratio = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.47 -9.60; p=0.006), death (odds ratio =30.13; 95% CI: 10.61 -96.72; p<0.001), and resistance to ofloxacin 800 mg (odds ratio =26.37; 95% CI: 6.72 -108.00;p<0.001).Conclusion: This study underscored a relatively high rate of culture conversion during the intensive phase of treatment among patients with MDR-TB in Niger.High age, death, and ofloxacin resistance were identified as risk factors for delayed culture conversion.These results suggest that early intervention in MDR-TB patients can lead to sputum culture conversion and treatment success.

Source: Journal of Bacteriology and Virology

DOI: 10.4167/jbv.2025.55.4.370