Spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a referral centre in Ibadan.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study examines the seasonal and spatial distribution of drug-susceptible (DS-TB) and drug-resistant (DR-TB) tuberculosis at a referral centre in Ibadan.

METHODS

The prospective cross-sectional study included 109 consented patients [Drug-Susceptible (DS-TB) and DR-TB] selected by purposive sampling technique between December 2019 and October 2020. After obtaining ethical approval (AD13/479/1548) from Oyo State Ministry of Health, socio-demographic data were collected using a modified structured questionnaire, and patients were followed up on clinic days. Sputum samples were collected by the patients after training, in sterile containers at three-month intervals within one year of post anti-tuberculosis treatment. Samples were analyzed using GeneXpert and microscopy to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis and isolated on Lowenstein-Jensen culture media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was by the proportional method. TB distribution, socio-economic factors between DS-TB and DR-TB were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

TB cases were highest among adults (78.8 %), with DS-TB peaking in January and DR-TB in April. Ona-Ara LGA had the highest DR-TB frequency (15.9 %), while DS-TB was most common in Ido LGA (15.4 %). DR-TB cases were also found in non-municipal Ibadan areas and neighbouring states, indicating cross-regional transmission.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the need for targeted surveillance and resource allocation to high-incidence areas like Ona-Ara LGA to improve treatment outcomes and control DR-TB in Nigeria.