RESUMO
Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) prevalence is increasing throughout the world. Although, most important risk factor for development of MDR-TB is inadequate and irregular previous treatment for tuberculosis, but newly treated patients are also at risk due to either spontaneous mutations or transmission of drug-resistant strains. The conventional tuberculosis drug susceptibility tests are sensitive and specific but they are not rapid. Newer molecular methods help in rapid diagnosis. GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a rapid method to detect MTB and rifampicin resistance. Rifampicin resistance is an initial indicator of multidrug resistance. We have tried to ascertain the prevalence of Rifampicin resistance in newly diagnosed and previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methods: This study was a prospective cross sectional study that involved all newly diagnosed and previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients attending the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar from January 2018 to Dec 2018. In the District Hospital, Muzaffarnagar,the sputum specimens were sent for GeneXpert MTB/RIF .On the basis of the result, the patients were labelled as Rifampicin resistance. Results: A total no of 118 sputum samples were sent to District Hospital,Muzaffarnagar for GeneXpert MTB/RIF . Among these 118 patients, 102 patients were newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis and 16 patients were previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis . Prevalence of Rifampicin resistance TB was found to be 0.98 % among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, and 25 % among previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results showed that the prevalence of Rifampicin resistance TB was high in previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis patient in comparison to newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patient. Proper administration of first line drugs for susceptible cases is most efficient method in preventing drug resistance.