Nationwide and regional incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa, 2004-12: a time series analysis

Ananta Nanoo; Alane Izu; Nazir A Ismail; Chikwe Ihekweazu; Ibrahim Abubakar; David Mametja; Shabir A Madhi

doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00147-4

Nationwide and regional incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa, 2004-12: a time series analysis

Lancet Infect Dis. 2015 Sep;15(9):1066-1076. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00147-4. Epub 2015 Jun 22.

Authors

Ananta Nanoo¹, Alane Izu², Nazir A Ismail³, Chikwe Ihekweazu¹, Ibrahim Abubakar⁴, David Mametja⁵, Shabir A Madhi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.
² Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
³ Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa.
⁴ Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK; Public Health England, London, UK.
⁵ TB Cluster, National Department of Health, Tshwane, South Africa.
⁶ Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa; Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: shabirm@nicd.ac.za.

PMID: 26112077
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00147-4

Abstract

Background: South Africa has the highest incidence of tuberculosis in the world, largely resulting from a high population prevalence of HIV infection. We investigated the incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis, and new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis registered for treatment, nationally and provincially in South Africa from 2004 to 2012, during which time there were changes in antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among individuals with HIV infection.

Methods: We identified cases of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis from 2004 to 2012 from the National Health Laboratory Service Corporate Data Warehouse. New cases registered for treatment were identified from National Department of Health electronic registries. A time series analysis, using autoregressive models, was undertaken on incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary disease nationally and provincially; this trend was also examined relative to ART coverage of adults with HIV infection.

Findings: During the 9-year period, 3 523 371 cases of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were recorded nationally. Annual incidence (per 100 000 population) increased from 650 (95% CI 648-652) in 2004 to 848 (845-850) in 2008, declining to 774 (771-776) by 2012 (9% decrease from 2008 to 2012). Incidence varied by age-group, sex, and province. There was an inverse association between incidence of microbiologically confirmed disease and ART coverage among HIV-infected individuals nationally and provincially. Trends in incidence of tuberculosis cases registered for treatment mirrored those of microbiologically confirmed cases nationally and provincially; however, incidence of microbiologically confirmed cases was consistently higher than cases registered for treatment nationally and in seven of nine provinces.

Interpretation: Since its peak in 2008, the incidence of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa had declined by 2012; this decline is associated with an increase in ART coverage. Future integration of registries for microbiologically confirmed cases and new cases registered for treatment would improve the assessment of the burden of pulmonary tuberculosis in South Africa.

Funding: National Institute for Communicable Diseases: Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
HIV Infections / drug therapy*
HIV Infections / epidemiology*
Humans
Incidence
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Sex Factors
South Africa / epidemiology
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology*
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology*
Young Adult

Substances

Anti-Retroviral Agents