Genexpert data for Rifampicin resistance in Swaziland - a retrospective analysis from 2012-2016

Surveillance of anti-TB drug resistance is key for sustained TB control. GeneXpert may provide a new avenue at least for Rifampicin resistance surveillance. This study used GeneXpert data to determine epidemiological prevalence of rifampicin resistance in Swaziland from 2012–2016.
\nNine laboratories in Swaziland were purposively selected and from them 50% of GeneXpert records were included in the study. Data was analysed using SAS studio version 9.04.
\nOf the 5418 GeneXpert records included, 50.8% were from males. The prevalence of rifampicin resistance was 10.5%, 10.8%, 11.3, 11,3 and 11,8 for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. Further, probe E was the most common locus of mutation conferring rifampicin resistance accounting for 62.2% of all resistance.
\nThis study showed that routine data from GeneXpert can be used for epidemiological surveillance of rifampicin resistance and can be used to develop a simple continuous system of rifampicin resistance surveillance.