Efficacy and safety of short course chemotherapy regimens in older children and adolescents with multiple and extensive drug resistant respiratory tuberculosis

The objective of the study: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short course chemotherapy regimens for multiple/extensive drug resistant tuberculosis of the respiratory system (MDR/XDR) in older children and adolescents. Subjects and Methods. A cohort prospective controlled study (2017 to 2019) included 23 patients from 13 to 17 years old with various clinical forms of respiratory tuberculosis with multiple/extensive drug resistance. Results. In 22 out of 23 cases, the following chemotherapy regimen was used: 6 months - the intensive phase / 6 months - the continuation phase, in one patient – 3 months of the intensive phase / 9 months of the continuation phase. In 15 out of 23 cases, the chemotherapy regimens in the intensive phase, taking into account the MBT drug sensitivity test, consisted of 5 drugs, in 8 cases – of 4 drugs. During the continuation phase, all patients received 3 drugs. Of the 23 patients, 8 patients used bedaquiline in short course chemotherapy regimens: 2 – 1 course, 6 – 2 courses. Conclusion. The possibility of reducing the main course of chemotherapy for MDR/XDR TB in children and adolescents to 12 months instead of 18-24 months has been proved.