Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Zambia: prevalence, clinical, radiological and microbiological characteristics

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is an emerging health problem. We present here the Zambia-specific national level data of prevalence, symptomatic, radiological and microbiological characteristics of NTM, using results from a national Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey. This was a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of NTM among adults aged 15 years and above, who were participants in a national TB prevalence survey. Participants who had either an abnormal chest x-ray or were symptomatic were considered presumptive TB cases and submitted sputum for smear and culture analysis. HIV testing was performed on an opt-out basis. Symptomatic NTM prevalence was estimated from individual level analysis. Of the 6,123 individuals with presumptive TB, 923 (15.1%) were found to have NTM, 13 (0.2%) were MTB/NTM co-infected and 338 (5.5%) were contaminated (indeterminate). The prevalence of symptomatic NTM was found to be 1,477/100,000 [95% CI 1010-1943]. Smear positivity, history of cough or chest pain and HIV positivity were risk factors for NTM. This first study to estimate the national prevalence of NTM in Zambia indicates that the burden is high. The NTM occurrence in Zambia constitutes both a public health and ethical issue requiring action from health manager

Stuttgarter Hoehenpruefstand fuer Turboflugtriebwerke Vortraege aus Anlass der Inbetriebnahme des erweiterten Hoehenpruefstandes, 2. Juli 1987

TIB: FR 3506 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

The Prevalence of Tuberculosis in Zambia: Results from the First National TB Prevalence Survey, 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND:Tuberculosis in Zambia is a major public health problem, however the country does not have reliable baseline data on the TB prevalence for impact measurement; therefore it was among the priority countries identified by the World Health Organization to conduct a national TB prevalence survey. OBJECTIVE:To estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis among the adult Zambian population aged 15 years and above, in 2013-2014. METHODS:A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in 66 clusters across all the 10 provinces of Zambia. Eligible participants aged 15 years and above were screened for TB symptoms, had a chest x-ray (CXR) performed and were offered an HIV test. Participants with TB symptoms and/or CXR abnormality underwent an in-depth interview and submitted one spot- and one morning sputum sample for smear microscopy and liquid culture. Digital data collection methods were used throughout the process. RESULTS:Of the 98,458 individuals who were enumerated, 54,830 (55.7%) were eligible to participate, and 46,099 (84.1%) participated. Of those who participated, 45,633/46,099 (99%) were screened by both symptom assessment and chest x-ray, while 466/46,099 (1.01%) were screened by interview only. 6,708 (14.6%) were eligible to submit sputum and 6,154/6,708 (91.7%) of them submitted at least one specimen for examination. MTB cases identified were 265/6,123 (4.3%). The estimated national adult prevalence of smear, culture and bacteriologically confirmed TB was 319/100,000 (232-406/100,000); 568/100,000 (440-697/100,000); and 638/100,000 (502-774/100,000) population, respectively. The risk of having TB was five times higher in the HIV positive than HIV negative individuals. The TB prevalence for all forms was estimated to be 455 /100,000 population for all age groups. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of tuberculosis in Zambia was higher than previously estimated. Innovative approaches are required to accelerate the control of TB