The Contribution of the Xpert<sup>&#174</sup> MTB/RIF Assay to the Surveillance of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Central African Republic

Introduction: The Central African Republic is one of the 30 high Tuberculosis burden countries in world, with an incidence 540 cases per 100,000 population and a mortality 91 deaths population. Since 2020, following WHO recommendations, National Reference Laboratory for has been using Xpert&#174 MTB/RIF assay as first-line diagnostic test early detection Drug Resistance Tuberculosis. goal this study was to evaluate contribution surveillance rifampicin resistance new previously treated tuberculosis cases. Materials Methods: data relative carried out on various categories patients registered at 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. cases, failed treatment relapse lost-to-follow-up multidrug-resistant contact Results: A total 1404 NRL-TB 2020; mean age 39.2 years (2 - 90 years) male-to-female sex ratio 1.16:1. Overall, 32.7% (454/1404) proved infected tuberculosis, which 22.5% (102/454) showed rifampicin. primary rate 9.1% (27/298) secondary 46.6% (75/161). Treatment failures relapsed significantly associated (p 0.005). Conclusion: Large-scale use MTB/RIF, especially provinces Republic, will help Ministry Health better control country.