Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak among transvestite sex workers, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We describe the first outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) that occurred in Argentina among transvestite sex workers, and actions undertaken for its control. In Buenos Aires city, transmission was documented between 2001 and 2004 by conventional and molecular methods in a hotel where transvestites used to reside and work. The source case was traced back to 1998. Six secondary cases were diagnosed and treated. Thirty-two contacts were investigated. The outbreak strain had formerly caused nosocomial transmission in Rosario, a city 300 km from Buenos Aires. Our findings highlight the difficulties controlling MDR-TB in Argentina.