ABSTRACT The incidence and clinical characteristics of NTM diseases in Brazil remain relatively unknown. The present study describes the diagnosis of NTM isolates, the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes. We analyzed NTM isolates in patients of a tertiary hospital in the Southeast region of Brazil, from January 2008 to July 2019. The ATS/IDSA criteria for diagnosis and treatment of these patients was applied. Mycobacterium kansasii were identified in 13/113 (11.5%) patients. In 59/113 (52.2%) patients who met the ATS criteria for disease, 29/59 (49.1%) received treatment, and 22/29 (75.8%) were cured. The major species identified was M. kansasii. The most frequent symptoms among the treated patients were dyspnea and cough, and the proportion of cured patients was high.

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to evaluate the costs of GenoType® MTBDRplus and MTBDRsl incurred during the diagnosis of first- and second-line drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Mean and activity-based costs of GenoType® were calculated in a referral laboratory for TB in Brazil. Results: The mean cost value and activity-based cost of GenoType® MTBDRplus were USD 19.78 and USD 35.80 and those of MTBDRsl were USD 54.25 and USD 41.85, respectively. Conclusions: The cost of GenoType® MTBDRplus was reduced owing to the high number of examinations performed and work optimization.

ABSTRACT Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious global public health concern associated with social vulnerability. In Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS, Portuguese) provides free diagnosis and treatment for MDR-TB; however, other expenses may still be incurred for patients and their families which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), can be catastrophic when these costs surpass 20.0% of the annual household income. This study aimed to assess the extent of catastrophic costs related to the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of MDR-TB among patients receiving care at an outpatient clinic in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: This prospective study used convenience sampling from July 2019 to June 2021. Data regarding direct and indirect costs were collected using a standardized questionnaire endorsed by the WHO. To analyze any impoverishment occurred from MDR-TB, a threshold established by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics for 2019 and 2020 of US$ 79,562 and US$ 94,5273, respectively, was applied. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, including mean; standard deviation; variation coefficient; median; and maximum, minimum, and interquartile ranges. Results: A total of 65 patients were interviewed. Among the participants, 73.8% experienced catastrophic costs, with indirect costs exerting the most significant impact (median: US$ 3,825.9), in contrast to direct costs (median: US$ 542.7). When comparing the periods before and after diagnosis, the prevalence of poverty increased from 12.0% to 28.0%. Conclusions: Despite the support from the SUS in Brazil, diagnostic and therapeutic cascades incur additional costs, exacerbating social vulnerability among patients with MDR-TB.

ABSTRACT This prospective study describes the use of Gene-Xpert Ultra for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in children and adolescents, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eighteen patients were studied; the final diagnosis of EPTB was established in 13 (72%). Gene-Xpert Ultra results showed detection in 10/13 (77%) of EPTB cases (7 of these 10 with trace-positive results). Gene-Xpert Ultra proved to be a promising method for the diagnosis of childhood EPTB.

ABSTRACT Background: In recent years, the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections has increased in different regions of the world. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommends standardized identification criteria, reinforcing the need for faster and less complicated clinical and laboratory techniques. Methods: In this retrospective study, NTM species isolated from pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and disseminated samples from patients treated at a TB/HIV reference unit in the State of Amazonas from 2011 to 2014 were identified through a combination of molecular techniques. Results: To identify the molecular technique, 50 cryopreserved NTM cultures were recovered and subcultivated in culture medium. The potentially pathogenic NTM species identified were M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. chelonae, M. abscessus, M. fortuitum, and M. peregrinum. Results of GenoType® showed moderate agreement with those of genomic sequencing (kappa = 0.60), whereas the results obtained by the PRA-hsp65 technique disagreed with the results obtained by sequencing (kappa = 0.49). Conclusions: Our findings highlight that GenoType CM is a good method for the identification of NTM, as well as the need for the application of standardized criteria, such as those set forth by the ATS.

ABSTRACT Background: The Neural Clinical Score for tuberculosis (NCS-TB) is a computer system developed to improve the triage of presumed pulmonary TB (pPTB). Methods: A study was performed with cohorts of pPTB patients cared for at a reference hospital in Northeast Brazil. Results: The NCS-TB sensitivity was 76.5% for TB diagnosis, which shortened the time from triage to smear microscopy results (3.3 to 2.5 days; p<0.001) and therapy initiation (6.7 to 4.1 days; p=0.045). Conclusions: Although the NCS-TB was not suitable as a screening tool, it was able to optimize laboratory diagnosis and shorten the time to treatment initiation.

ABSTRACT Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem, with approximately 10 million new cases reported annually. Knowledge about the quantitative evolution of theses and dissertations (T&Ds) examining human TB in Brazil can contribute to generating strategic planning for training professionals in this field and disease control. Therefore, this study highlights the role of T&Ds on TB in national scientific disclosures. Methods: An integrative review related to TB was performed, including T&Ds produced in Brazil and completed between 2013 and 2019. Results: A total of 559,457 T&Ds were produced, of which 1,342 were associated with TB, accounting for 0.24% of the total number of T&Ds in Brazil. This was evidenced by a predominance of themes such as attention/health care, epidemiology, and TB treatment, and 80.2% of the T&Ds on TB were related to the large areas of health and biological sciences. Only 19.7% of T&Ds were associated with groups of patients considered at risk for TB, and 50.9% were produced in southeastern Brazil. The 1,342 T&Ds on TB were developed in 416 postgraduate programs linked to 121 higher education institutions (HEIs). We highlight that 72.7% of T&Ds on TB were produced in federal HEIs, 27.4% in state HEIs, and 8.5% in private HEIs. Conclusions: Strategic themes, such as TB control, require public policies that aim to increase the number of doctors and masters with expertise in TB, with geographic uniformity, and in line with the priorities for disease control.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To understand patients’ narratives about the barriers they faced in the diagnosis and treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and their consequences in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. METHODS This is a qualitative cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling. A theoretical saturation criterion was considered for composing the number of interviewees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from August to December 2019 with 31 patients undergoing treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at an outpatient referral center in Rio de Janeiro. Data were transcribed and processed with the aid of the NVIVO software. Interviews were evaluated by content analysis, and their themes, cross-referenced with participants’ characterization data. RESULTS Our main findings were: a) participants show a high proportion of primary drug resistance, b) patients experience delays in the diagnosis and effective treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis ; c) healthcare providers fail to value or seek the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis, thus beginning the inadequate treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis, d) primary health units show low report rates of active case-finding and contact monitoring, and e) patients show poor knowledge about the disease. CONCLUSIONS We need to improve referral systems, and access to the diagnosis and effective treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; conduct an active investigation of contacts; intensify the training of healthcare providers, in collaboration with medical and nursing schools, in both public and private systems; and promote campaigns to educate the population on tuberculosis signs and symptoms.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To understand patients’ narratives about the barriers they faced in the diagnosis and treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and their consequences in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. METHODS This is a qualitative cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling. A theoretical saturation criterion was considered for composing the number of interviewees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from August to December 2019 with 31 patients undergoing treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at an outpatient referral center in Rio de Janeiro. Data were transcribed and processed with the aid of the NVIVO software. Interviews were evaluated by content analysis, and their themes, cross-referenced with participants’ characterization data. RESULTS Our main findings were: a) participants show a high proportion of primary drug resistance, b) patients experience delays in the diagnosis and effective treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis ; c) healthcare providers fail to value or seek the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis, thus beginning the inadequate treatment for drug-susceptible tuberculosis, d) primary health units show low report rates of active case-finding and contact monitoring, and e) patients show poor knowledge about the disease. CONCLUSIONS We need to improve referral systems, and access to the diagnosis and effective treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; conduct an active investigation of contacts; intensify the training of healthcare providers, in collaboration with medical and nursing schools, in both public and private systems; and promote campaigns to educate the population on tuberculosis signs and symptoms.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação de disglicemia e características clínicas, laboratoriais e radiográficas em pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar (TBP), bem como a associação de disglicemia e desfechos do tratamento da tuberculose. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal com 140 pacientes com diagnóstico de TBP (culturas de escarro positivas para Mycobacterium tuberculosis ou resultados positivos do teste Xpert MTB/RIF em amostras de escarro). Os pacientes foram avaliados no momento do diagnóstico (M0), após dois meses de tratamento (M2) e no fim do tratamento (MFIM). Em M0, os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos: normoglicemia+TBP (NGTB); pré-diabetes mellitus+TBP (PDMTB) e diabetes mellitus+TBP (DMTB), de acordo com os níveis de hemoglobina glicada (< 5,7%, 5,7%-6,4% e ≥ 6,5%, respectivamente). Os desfechos do tratamento foram classificados em favoráveis (cura ou conclusão do tratamento) e desfavoráveis (óbito, perda de seguimento ou falência do tratamento). Resultados: Em nossa amostra, 76 pacientes (61,4%) apresentavam disglicemia, 20 (14,3%) dos quais apresentavam DM em M0. Os pacientes com disglicemia, em comparação com os do grupo NGTB, apresentaram mais frequentemente baciloscopia de escarro positiva (94,2% vs. 75,9%; p = 0,003); cavidades (80,2% vs. 63,0%; p = 0,03); lesões bilaterais (67,4% vs. 46,0%; p = 0,02) e maior mediana de terços pulmonares acometidos (3,0 vs. 2,0; p = 0,03) na radiografia de tórax. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos quanto aos desfechos, mas a letalidade da tuberculose foi maior no grupo DMTB do que nos grupos PDMTB e NGTB (20% vs. 2,2%). Conclusões: Pacientes com TBP e disglicemia apresentaram manifestações laboratoriais e radiográficas indicativas de doença mais avançada, e o risco de óbito foi maior no grupo DMTB. Esses achados reforçam a recomendação de detecção precoce de DM em pacientes com tuberculose recém-diagnosticada, a fim de reduzir o risco de óbito durante o tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of dysglycemia with clinical, laboratory, and radiographic characteristics of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), as well as with their tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Methods: This was a longitudinal study involving 140 patients diagnosed with PTB (positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis or positive Xpert MTB/RIF results from sputum samples). Patients were evaluated at diagnosis (M0), after completing the second month of treatment (M2), and at the end of treatment (MEND). At M0, the patients were classified into three groups: normoglycemia+PTB (NGTB); pre-diabetes mellitus+PTB (PDMTB), and diabetes mellitus+PTB (DMTB), in accordance with glycated hemoglobin levels (< 5.7%, 5.7%-6.4%, and ≥ 6.5%, respectively). Treatment outcomes were classified as favorable (cure or treatment completion) and unfavorable (death, loss to follow-up, or treatment failure). Results: In our sample, 76 patients (61.4%) had dysglycemia, 20 of whom (14.3%) had DM at M0. The patients with dysglycemia, in comparison with those in the NGTB group, more frequently presented with positive sputum smear microscopy (94.2% vs. 75.9%; p = 0.003); cavities (80.2% vs. 63.0%; p = 0.03); bilateral lesions (67.4% vs. 46.0%; p = 0.02); and higher median of affected thirds of the lungs (3.0 vs. 2.0; p = 0.03) on chest radiography. No significant differences regarding outcomes were found among the groups, but tuberculosis lethality was higher in the DMTB group than in the PDMTB and NGTB groups (20% vs. 2.2%). Conclusions: PTB patients with dysglycemia had laboratory and radiographic manifestations indicative of more advanced disease, and the risk of death was higher in the DMTB group. These findings reinforce the recommendation for early screening for DM in patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis in order to reduce the risk of death during treatment.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The intensification of research and innovation with the creation of networks of rapid and effective molecular tests as strategies for the end of tuberculosis are essential to avoid late diagnosis and for the eradication of the disease. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Xpert®MTB/RIF (Xpert) in the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis in reference units, in scenarios with and without subsidies, and the respective cost adjustment for today. METHODS: The analyses were performed considering as criterion of effectiveness, negative culture or clinical improvement in the sixth month of follow-up. The comparison was performed using two diagnostic strategies for the drug susceptibility test (DST), BactecTMMGITTM960 System, versus Xpert. The cost effectiveness and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated and dollar-corrected for American inflation (US$ 1.00 = R$ 5,29). RESULTS: Subsidized Xpert had the lowest cost of US$ 33.48 (R$67,52) and the highest incremental average efficiency (13.57), thus being a dominated analysis. After the inflation was calculated, the mean cost was DST-MGIT=US$ 74.85 (R$ 396,73) and Xpert = US$ 37.33 (R$197,86) with subsidies. CONCLUSIONS: The Xpert in the diagnosis of TB-DR in these reference units was cost-effective with subsidies. In the absence of a subsidy, Xpert in TB-DR is not characterized as cost effective. This factor reveals the vulnerability of countries dependent on international organizations’ subsidy policies.

Neste estudo, estimou-se a proporção e os fatores associados à subnotificação da tuberculose multirresistente (TB-MDR) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, assim como a proporção de óbitos nesse grupo. Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectiva, utilizando a técnica de relacionamento probabilístico entre sistemas de informação. Os casos com resultado do teste de sensibilidade às drogas (TSA) com padrão TB-MDR registrados no Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), no período 2010 a 2017, foram relacionados com casos notificados no Sistema de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB). Regressões logísticas simples e múltipla foram realizadas para estimar os fatores associados à subnotificação. Para verificar o óbito, foi realizada a busca dos casos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e no portal do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dos 651 casos TB-MDR no GAL, 165 não haviam sido notificados no SITETB, perfazendo uma subnotificação de 25,4% na amostra. Entre os casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) foram encontrados nos registros de óbito. Na análise múltipla, ter o exame solicitado por um hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) esteve associado à subnotificação. No geral, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e a liberação do resultado foi de 113 dias. Entre os casos notificados, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e o início do tratamento foi de 169 dias. Diante disso, é urgente fortalecer as ações de vigilância epidemiológica na TB-MDR, estabelecer e monitorar núcleos de vigilância hospitalar e as rotinas de notificação de TB nos hospitais, rever etapas operacionais, além de unificar os diversos sistemas de informação tornando-os mais ágeis e integrados.

This study estimated the proportion of underreporting of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and associated factors in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as the proportion of deaths in this group. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using probabilistic database linkage. Cases with the results of the drug sensitivity test (DST) with MDR-TB pattern recorded in the Laboratory Environment Management System (GAL) from 2010 to 2017 were linked to cases reported to the Special TB Treatments System (SITETB). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were performed to estimate factors associated with underreporting. Death was verified by search for cases in the Mortality Information System (SIM) and in the portal of the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice. Of the 651 cases of MDR-TB in the GAL, 165 had not been reported to the SITETB, meaning an underreporting rate of 25.4% in the sample. Among the unreported cases, 61 (37%) were identified in the death records. In the multiple analysis, the fact that the test was ordered by a hospital (OR = 2.86; 95%CI: 1.72-4.73) was associated with underreporting. Overall, the mean turnaround time between ordering the test and releasing the result was 113 days. Among reported cases, the mean time between ordering the test and initiating treatment was 169 days. The results underline the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance activities for MDR-TB, establish and monitor hospital surveillance centers and routine TB reporting in hospitals, review operational stages, and integrate various information systems to make them more agile and integrated.

En este estudio se estimó la proporción y los factores asociados a la subnotificación de la tuberculosis resistente a múltiples fármacos (TB-MDR) en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, así como la proporción de óbitos en ese grupo. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, utilizando la técnica de relación probabilística entre sistemas de información. Los casos con resultado del test de sensibilidad a las drogas (TSA) con patrón TB-MDR, registrados en el Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), en el período 2010 a 2017, se relacionaron con casos notificados en el Sistema de Tratamientos Especiales de Tuberculosis (SITETB). Se realizaron regresiones logísticas simples y múltiples para estimar los factores asociados a la subnotificación. Para verificar el óbito, se realizó la búsqueda de los casos en el Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad (SIM) y en el portal del Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Río de Janeiro. De los 651 casos TB-MDR en el GAL, 165 no habían sido notificados en el SITETB, lo que equivale a una subnotificación de un 25,4% en la muestra. Entre los casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) se encontraron en los registros de óbito. En el análisis múltiple, que el examen haya sido solicitado por un hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) estuvo asociado a la subnotificación. En general, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y la llegada del resultado fue de 113 días. Entre los casos notificados, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y el inicio del tratamiento fue de 169 días. Ante esto, es urgente fortalecer las acciones de vigilancia epidemiológica en la TB-MDR, establecer y supervisar núcleos de vigilancia hospitalaria y las rutinas de notificación de TB en los hospitales, revisar etapas operacionales, además de unificar los diversos sistemas de información haciéndolos más ágiles e integrados.

Neste estudo, estimou-se a proporção e os fatores associados à subnotificação da tuberculose multirresistente (TB-MDR) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, assim como a proporção de óbitos nesse grupo. Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectiva, utilizando a técnica de relacionamento probabilístico entre sistemas de informação. Os casos com resultado do teste de sensibilidade às drogas (TSA) com padrão TB-MDR registrados no Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), no período 2010 a 2017, foram relacionados com casos notificados no Sistema de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB). Regressões logísticas simples e múltipla foram realizadas para estimar os fatores associados à subnotificação. Para verificar o óbito, foi realizada a busca dos casos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e no portal do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dos 651 casos TB-MDR no GAL, 165 não haviam sido notificados no SITETB, perfazendo uma subnotificação de 25,4% na amostra. Entre os casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) foram encontrados nos registros de óbito. Na análise múltipla, ter o exame solicitado por um hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) esteve associado à subnotificação. No geral, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e a liberação do resultado foi de 113 dias. Entre os casos notificados, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e o início do tratamento foi de 169 dias. Diante disso, é urgente fortalecer as ações de vigilância epidemiológica na TB-MDR, estabelecer e monitorar núcleos de vigilância hospitalar e as rotinas de notificação de TB nos hospitais, rever etapas operacionais, além de unificar os diversos sistemas de informação tornando-os mais ágeis e integrados.

This study estimated the proportion of underreporting of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and associated factors in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as the proportion of deaths in this group. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using probabilistic database linkage. Cases with the results of the drug sensitivity test (DST) with MDR-TB pattern recorded in the Laboratory Environment Management System (GAL) from 2010 to 2017 were linked to cases reported to the Special TB Treatments System (SITETB). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were performed to estimate factors associated with underreporting. Death was verified by search for cases in the Mortality Information System (SIM) and in the portal of the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice. Of the 651 cases of MDR-TB in the GAL, 165 had not been reported to the SITETB, meaning an underreporting rate of 25.4% in the sample. Among the unreported cases, 61 (37%) were identified in the death records. In the multiple analysis, the fact that the test was ordered by a hospital (OR = 2.86; 95%CI: 1.72-4.73) was associated with underreporting. Overall, the mean turnaround time between ordering the test and releasing the result was 113 days. Among reported cases, the mean time between ordering the test and initiating treatment was 169 days. The results underline the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance activities for MDR-TB, establish and monitor hospital surveillance centers and routine TB reporting in hospitals, review operational stages, and integrate various information systems to make them more agile and integrated.

En este estudio se estimó la proporción y los factores asociados a la subnotificación de la tuberculosis resistente a múltiples fármacos (TB-MDR) en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, así como la proporción de óbitos en ese grupo. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, utilizando la técnica de relación probabilística entre sistemas de información. Los casos con resultado del test de sensibilidad a las drogas (TSA) con patrón TB-MDR, registrados en el Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), en el período 2010 a 2017, se relacionaron con casos notificados en el Sistema de Tratamientos Especiales de Tuberculosis (SITETB). Se realizaron regresiones logísticas simples y múltiples para estimar los factores asociados a la subnotificación. Para verificar el óbito, se realizó la búsqueda de los casos en el Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad (SIM) y en el portal del Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Río de Janeiro. De los 651 casos TB-MDR en el GAL, 165 no habían sido notificados en el SITETB, lo que equivale a una subnotificación de un 25,4% en la muestra. Entre los casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) se encontraron en los registros de óbito. En el análisis múltiple, que el examen haya sido solicitado por un hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) estuvo asociado a la subnotificación. En general, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y la llegada del resultado fue de 113 días. Entre los casos notificados, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y el inicio del tratamiento fue de 169 días. Ante esto, es urgente fortalecer las acciones de vigilancia epidemiológica en la TB-MDR, establecer y supervisar núcleos de vigilancia hospitalaria y las rutinas de notificación de TB en los hospitales, revisar etapas operacionales, además de unificar los diversos sistemas de información haciéndolos más ágiles e integrados.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We analyzed the trends in primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). METHODS: We performed a time series analysis of primary MDR-TB cases reported in the State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) during 2000-2019. The annual percent change and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) were computed using joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of cases increased from 7.69% in 2000 to 38.42% in 2018. We observed an upward trend during this period (AAPC = 9.4; 95% confidence interval 1.4-18.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The trend indicates the increasing occurrence of MDR-TB transmission sources in RJ during 2000-2019.

Introduction: In March 2020, the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases overburdened the Italian health system, with the country becoming the pandemic’s epicenter. Methods: We present a narrative review based on manuscripts, official documents, and newspaper articles regarding COVID-19 in Italy. Results: Characteristics of the epidemic, possible causes for its worsening, and the measures adopted across Italian regions are presented. Conclusions: In the early stages of an epidemic, effective decision-making is essential to contain the number of cases. Medical support for patients and social isolation measures are the most appropriate strategies currently available to reduce the spread and lethality of COVID-19.