Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent worldwide health threat, with 10.6million fresh cases and 1.3 million reported-deaths in the year 2022. Pakistan ranks amongst the top five high burden TB countries, with the Khyber Pakhtun khwa (KP) province, with a particular emphasis on remote districts like Dir (U)-facing extensive diagnostic and treatment challenges. This cross sectional study was conducted to conclude the molecular prevalence, comorbidities, and drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) in sixteen (16) zones of district Dir (U). A total of 990 clinically-alleged TB cases were enrolled from these zones across five tehsils from July-November 2024. Sputum samples were analyzed using the smear microscopic detection approaches the most significant GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, a WHO endorsed rapid molecular diagnostic tool for simultaneous detection of MTB and first-line drug/s resistance. Of the 990 samples, 70 (7.07%) were confirmed TB positive. Kalkot tehsil exhibited the highest TB positivity rate despite a lower sample size. Male patients consistently showed higher infection rates than females. Comorbidity analysis revealed strong associations with diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C-inflicted contagions, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease, particularly in the Kalkot, Sheringal, and Dir tehsils. Gene Xpert detected resistance against the first-line drugs (Rifampicin) in 11 cases(15.71%), indicative of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), while 4 cases(5.71%) were further classified as extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)resisting the second-line drugs (the Moxifloxacin). These findings underscore the importance of integrating rapid molecular diagnostics like Gene Xpert in high-burden and underserved regions to enhance early detection and containment of drug-resistant TB. Strengthening regional TB surveillance, treatment adherence, and diagnostic infrastructure is critical to controlling TB in Pakistan.
Page(s):
124-124
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: 1st International Conference on "Recent Advances in Green Biotechnology and Climate Resilience", September 15-16, 2025, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2025
Keywords:
MDRTB
,
rifampicin
,
moxifloxacin
,
XDRTB
,
GeneXpert MTBRIF
,
MTB