Publication
Title
Challenges and knowledge gaps in the management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in sub-Saharan African countries with a high tuberculosis burden : a scoping review
Author
Abstract
Introduction In sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries endemic for tuberculosis (TB), previous TB is a significant risk factor for non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). The deployment of GeneXpert MTB/RIF in pulmonary TB diagnostic work-up regularly identifies symptomatic patients with a positive smear microscopy but negative GeneXpert, indicative of NTM presence. This scoping review outlines recent evidence for NTM-PD diagnosis and management in SSA.Objective The review's objective was to outline the risk factors, available diagnostics, management options and outcomes of NTM-PD in high-burden TB settings in SSA using the population-concept-context framework.Design and data sources We searched existing literature from PubMed, Web of Science, African Journals Online, Google Scholar and grey literature. Studies published between January 2005 and December 2022 were retained. Data were extracted into Rayyan software and Mendeley and summarised using Excel.Results We identified 785 potential articles, of which 105 were included in the full-text review, with 7 papers retained. Included articles used international criteria for diagnosing NTM-PD. Multiple papers were excluded due to non-application of the criteria, suggesting challenging application in the SSA setting. Identified risk factors include previous TB, smoking and mining. Most commonly, chest radiography and not CT was used for the radiological diagnosis of PD, which may miss early changes related to NTM-PD. Molecular methods for NTM species identification were employed in research settings, usually at referral centres, but were unavailable for routine care. Most studies did not report a standardised approach to treatment and they were not offered treatment for the specific disease, marking a lack of guidance in treatment decision-making. When treatment was provided, the outcome was often not reported due to the lack of implementation of standardised outcome definitions.Conclusions These outlined challenges present a unique opportunity for researchers to undertake further studies in NTM-PD and proffer solutions more applicable to SSA.
Language
English
Source (journal)
BMJ open. - London, 2011, currens
Publication
London : BMJ Group , 2024
ISSN
2044-6055
DOI
10.1136/BMJOPEN-2023-078818
Volume/pages
14 :1 (2024) , p. 1-10
Article Reference
e078818
ISI
001154790300064
Pubmed ID
38238184
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.03.2024
Last edited 07.03.2024
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