FREQUENCY OF RIFAMPICIN RESISTANCE AND SMEAR CONVERSION IN CATEGORY 11 TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS USING GENEXPERT ASSAY IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is highly contagious disease commonly transmitted through air droplets and is a global public health concern. Almost one third of world population is infected tuberculosis and in last 2-3 decades the resurgence of drug resistance have posed serious threat over the globe. This study was aimed to evaluate RIF resistance in category II TB patients. Methods: A total of 100 sputum samples were collected from category ii (relapse, loss of follow up, failure, interrupted) TB patients visiting Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital Brewery Road Quetta. All the samples were examined through GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and other relevant information were collected from patients using predesigned questionnaire. Results: About 23 patients were found RIF resistant with 7/23 (30 %) male and 16/23 (70%) female. While, 5 (21.7 %) patients from 15-34 year age group converted to smear negative in first month of treatment. Likewise, in second month 3/23(13%) patients in 15-54 years, followed by 5/23 (21.7%) in third month in 15-64 years and in fourth month 3/23 (13%) patients were seroconverted in 15-24 years age group. Similarly, in fifth month 4/23 (17.4%) patients were converted in the age 35-65 Years followed by seventh month 1/23 (4.3%) in, 15-24 years age group. while 2 (8.7%) in the age 25-34 were died. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of RIF resistance in category II TB patients and sero-conversion was found in 15- 34 years age group. Keywords: Tuberculosis, geneXpert MTB/RIF, rpoB gene, Sputum smear conversion