Pregnancies complicated by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Durban, South Africa.

Abstract

SETTING: Tertiary hospitals in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) co-infection during pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcome. DESIGN: Prospective study performed between 1996 and 2001. Symptomatic pregnant women were investigated for TB. Those with confirmed MDR-TB were reported on. RESULTS: Three of five pregnant women with MDR-TB were HIV-1 co-infected. One woman decided to terminate the pregnancy and one experienced pre-term labour. Two neonates had features of growth restriction. CONCLUSION: Management of pregnant women with MDR-TB in an HIV-endemic area is possible in developing countries.