Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) has emerged as a significant global threat, with nearly 500,000 new cases annually. South Africa has the highest burden of HIV worldwide and also has a rapidly expanding MDR TB epidemic, raising concerns for a catastrophic convergence of these two diseases. In South Africa and in other regions, MDR TB/HIV co-infection has been associated with exceedingly high mortality-up to 80% at one year. Most mortality estimates, however, were derived prior to the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Mortality rates for MDR TB/HIV co-infected persons treated with ART are currently unknown. ART has markedly improved survival in drug-susceptible TB/HIV co-infected persons. Though adding ART to MDR TB treatment is hoped to similarly improve survival in MDR TB/HIV co-infected persons, this benefit may be attenuated by microbial or host factors which may be more prevalent in MDR TB/HIV co-infection. HIV- infected persons may be more likely to develop MDR TB disease as a result of infection with more virulent TB strains, leading to higher mortality despite ART. Similarly, certain host factors, such as disseminated TB, immunosuppression, or low body mass index, which are more common in HIV, are independently associated with poor MDR TB outcomes and may worsen survival despite combined ART and MDR TB treatment. In addition to improving survival, combined ART and MDR TB treatment may result in complications (i.e., greater incidence of adverse reactions and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome [IRIS], or lower adherence) that compromise both MDR TB and HIV outcomes. Specifically, it may cause lower rates of MDR TB culture conversion and higher rates of MDR TB treatment failure, or HIV virologic failure. Identifying and understanding these potential complications will inform future intervention studies of MDR TB/HIV co-infection. In this application, we will assemble a cohort of MDR TB/HIV subjects and examine prospectively the impact of concurrent MDR TB treatment and ART on survival (Aim 1). The influence of host factors on survival will be examined. Additionally, we will genotype all MDR TB isolates to determine TB strain prevalence to determine whether this mediates differences in survival (Aim 2). We will further examine the effect of MDR TB and HIV co-treatment on outcomes for each disease, with rigorous measures of factors that may impact these outcomes, namely: adverse events, IRIS, and adherence (Aims 3 &4). The interactions between HIV and drug-resistant TB have been identified as a priority research area for the NIH/NIAID and the Federal TB Task Force, specifically epidemiologic research to improve understanding of HIV and drug-resistant TB, and clinical research to assess outcomes of patients afflicted with both diseases and undergoing concurrent treatment. This application will address these issues directly, and will take place at the epicenter of the convergent epidemics of TB, HIV, and drug-resistant TB in rural South Africa, where our international research group has been working to improve outcomes in TB/HIV co-infection since 2002.

Public Health Relevance

While MDR TB/HIV co-infection was previously characterized by extremely high mortality, this was before life- saving antiretroviral therapy was available. Findings will help improve the health of individuals and communities affected by the MDR TB epidemic and will create an evidence-base to guide sound clinical practice and public health policy for MDR TB/HIV disease treatment throughout the developing world.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI087465-04
Application #
8521065
Study Section
AIDS Clinical Studies and Epidemiology Study Section (ACE)
Program Officer
Srinivasan, Sudha
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$757,290
Indirect Cost
$170,115
Name
Emory University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
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Auld, Sara C; Shah, N Sarita; Cohen, Ted et al. (2018) Where is tuberculosis transmission happening? Insights from the literature, new tools to study transmission and implications for the elimination of tuberculosis. Respirology :
Magee, Matthew J; Sun, Yan V; Brust, James C M et al. (2017) Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene are associated with reduced rate of sputum culture conversion in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in South Africa. PLoS One 12:e0180916
Shah, N Sarita; Auld, Sara C; Brust, James C M et al. (2017) Transmission of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa. N Engl J Med 376:243-253
Bablishvili, N; Tukvadze, N; Shashkina, E et al. (2017) Impact of gyrB and eis Mutations in Improving Detection of Second-Line-Drug Resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Georgia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Allana, Salim; Shashkina, Elena; Mathema, Barun et al. (2017) pncA Gene Mutations Associated with Pyrazinamide Resistance in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, South Africa and Georgia. Emerg Infect Dis 23:491-495
Salindri, Argita D; Kipiani, Maia; Kempker, Russell R et al. (2016) Diabetes Reduces the Rate of Sputum Culture Conversion in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. Open Forum Infect Dis 3:ofw126
Brust, James C M; Shah, N Sarita; Gandhi, Neel R (2016) More on Treatment Outcomes in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. N Engl J Med 375:2610
Auld, Sara C; Lee, Scott H; Click, Eleanor S et al. (2016) IFN-? Release Assay Result Is Associated with Disease Site and Death in Active Tuberculosis. Ann Am Thorac Soc 13:2151-2158
Lim, Jennifer R; Gandhi, Neel R; Mthiyane, Thuli et al. (2015) Incidence and Geographic Distribution of Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. PLoS One 10:e0132076

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