ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Central Nervous System tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is the most lethal form of extra-pulmonary TB, especially in children. In this study, we have discussed patterns of drug resistance in pediatric CNS-TB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted on 100 children at a tertiary care center. Diagnosed cases of CNS-TB were enrolled. GeneXpert MTB/RIF was used upfront for diagnosis, and in cases where TB MGIT culture was positive, a phenotypic Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) was done. Patients were divided into resistant to at least one drug (DR) and drug-susceptible (DS). Various parameters were compared between these groups. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 5.84 ± 3.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.08 : 1; 14% of children had drug-resistant CNS TB (DR-CNS-TB). A higher proportion of children previously treated for TB were associated with drug resistance (p = 0.009), and those with disseminated TB also had a higher drug resistance (p = 0.002). Apart from this, the DR and DS groups had no statistically significant differences in demographic, clinical or epidemiological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Previous history of being treated for TB and disseminated TB was an independent risk factor for DR-CNS-TB. Ensuring proper adherence and compliance to anti-tubercular treatment could help in preventing the emergence of DR TB.
