ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, Public-Private Mix (PPM) models of service delivery are recommended as a strategy for improving tuberculosis (TB) control. Several models of PPM-DOTS have been initiated under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in India, but scaling up and sustaining successful projects has remained a challenge. Aim: This paper examines factors accounting for the sustainability of a PPM-DOTS initiated in 1998 in Pimpri Chinchwad (PC), a city in Maharashtra, India. Methods: A two-year intervention research project documented the workings of the PPM–DOTS programme. This paper draws on in-depth interviews with programme officers and staff, and semi-structured interviews with private practitioners (PP) practising in the study area. Results: PPM-DOTS was originally introduced in PC, in order to increase access to DOTS. Over the years it has become an integral part of the RNTCP. Multiple approaches were employed to involve and sustain private providers’ participation in PPM-DOTS. Systems were developed for supervision and monitoring DOTS in the private sector. Systematic use of operations research and successful mobilisation of available local resources helped set future direction for expanding and strengthening the PPM. The private sector’s contribution to case detection and treatment success has increased, however ensuring referrals of TB suspects from all private providers continues to present a challenge. Conclusion: PPM-DOTS in PC is one of the few Indian models implemented as envisaged by global and national policy makers. Its successful operation for over a decade reiterates the importance of public sector initiative and leadership and makes it an interesting case for study and replication.
ABSTRACT
Results: Total cases considered to be positive for tuberculosis by all criteria was 71. PCR detected 98% of ‘culture positive’, 97% of ‘smear positive, culture positive’, and 100% of ‘smear negative’ culture positive samples. PCR was also positive for 86% of smear negative samples, from tuberculosis suspects diagnosed on the basis of other routine diagnostics and supporting clinical evidence. Seventeen samples were positive only by PCR but based on clinical parameters only 7 were considered as true positives. The sensitivity of PCR was 91.5% compared to 51% for smear microscopy and 68% for sputum culture. This was due to the fact that PCR could pick up bacterial DNA even from saliva mixed sputum specimens, which are generally not considered appropriate for microbiology. The specificity of PCR (86%) was found to be lower than other diagnostic tests mainly due to lack of a suitable gold standard to assess its efficiency. This is an important limitation in evaluation of the test. Conclusions: PCR using MPB64 primers has potential and can be a useful adjunct to diagnose clinical tuberculosis, particularly in smear negative paucibacillary cases. However, the major limitation of PCR results from the absence of a suitable gold standard by which to evaluate the results.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is the commonest opportunistic disease in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Emergence of drug resistant isolates of M. tuberculosis highlights the need for continuous monitoring of drug resistance to antituberculosis drugs. Considering the reported high prevalence of drug resistance in HIV infected tuberculosis patients, we studied the anti-tuberculosis drug resistance pattern of M. tuberculosis in HIV seropositive and seronegative tuberculosis patients in Pune, Maharashtra, India. METHODS: A total of 70 M. tuberculosis isolates, 30 from HIV seropositive and 40 from HIV seronegative tuberculosis patients with no previous history of anti-tuberculosis treatment, were isolated from sputum samples on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium, confirmed by conventional biochemical tests and stored at -70 degrees C. They were revived by subculturing on LJ medium and tested for drug resistance against four first-line antitubercular drugs by BACTEC Mycobacterial growth indicator tube 960 (MGIT 960) system. RESULTS: Of the 30 isolates from HIV infected patients, 10 per cent were resistant to isoniazid (H), 6.6 per cent to streptomycin (S), 6.6 per cent to ethambutol (E) and 10 per cent were multi drug resistant (MDR). Of the 40 M. tuberculosis isolates from HIV uninfected individuals, 10 per cent were resistant to H, 2.5 per cent to S, 2.5 per cent to E, and 2.5 per cent isolates were MDR. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The prevalence of drug resistant M. tuberculosis isolates among HIV seropositive tuberculosis patients was similar to that of HIV seronegative TB patients, indicating HIV infection may not be associated with drug resistant tuberculosis. However, considering the results from other studies and a high prevalence of HIV-TB infection in the country, monitoring of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis isolates needs prioritization to ensure success in national tuberculosis control programme.