Tuberc Respir Dis.  2005 Dec;59(6):619-624.

A Trend in Acquired Drug Resistances of Tuberculosis Patients Registered in Health Centers from 1981 to 2004

• Chang CL
• Lee EY
• Park SK
• Jeong SH
• Park YK
• Choi YW
• Kim HJ
• Lew WJ
• Bai GH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The drug resistance rate in tuberculosis patients with history of chemotherapy is an important indicator of for evaluation of appropriateness of treatment regimens and compliance of patients. This study examined the long-term changes in the drug resistance rates among TB patients failed in treatment or reactivated.
METHODS
The results of drug susceptibility testing data from patients registered in health centers from 1981 to 2004 were analyzed.
RESULTS
The rate of resistance to isoniazid decreased from 90% to 20%, and the resistance to ethambutol decreased from 45% to 6%. The rate of resistance to rifampicin varied from 13% to 28% and the resistance to pyrazinamide was 5% to 10%. Multidrug resistance was about 2-3% lower than any rifampicin resistance rates. The second-line drug resistance was ranged from 1% to 3%. There was no difference between patients' genders. Patient numbers per 100,000 population increased with age. The regional distribution was even at 4-6 patients per 100,000 population, and drug resistance rates were significantly lower in big city areas than in small towns and rural areas.
CONCLUSION
The rates of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from TB patients with history of chemotherapy to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and isoniazid plus rifampin were significantly decreased during over two decades.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Acquired drug resistance; Multidrug resistance

MeSH Terms

Compliance
Drug Resistance
Drug Resistance, Multiple
Drug Therapy
Ethambutol
Humans
Isoniazid
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Pyrazinamide
Rifampin
Tuberculosis*
Ethambutol
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Rifampin