Retrospective epidemiological analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the older adult and characterization of rifampicin resistance-associated rpoB mutations in Nantong City, China (2014-2023).

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence trend of older adult pulmonary tuberculosis (ETB) and the distribution and outcome of rifampicin-resistant rpoB gene mutation in ETB patients in Nantong.

METHODS

The pulmonary tuberculosis patients' data in Nantong from 2014 to 2023 were from Tuberculosis Information Management Syste and ETB and rifampicin-resistant rpoB mutation patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2023, the overall standardized incidence of ETB in Nantong showed a trend of rapid decline and tended to a stable trend stabilized. A total of 140 older adult patients with rifampin resistance, aged 60-69 years, 87 cases (62.1%). single-gene mutation Probe E mutations were the most frequent, observed in 39 cases (60.0%). Specifically, 52 cases (80.00%) were resistant to rifampicin, and Probe E of 31 cases (59.62%) showed the most mutations. The outcome of ETB patients with rifampicin resistance were significantly correlated with treatment classification, rifampicin resistance, Xpert MTB first test, and 0-month sequential sputum positivity.

CONCLUSION

The number of ETB in Nantong from 2014 to 2023 showed a rapid decline and stabilized. The rpoB mutations in the ETB rifampicin-resistant patients were mainly single-gene mutations. The authorities should formulate effective regional prevention and control measures based on the characteristics of the ETB rifampicin-resistant patients.