Extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in Chest Disease Institute, 1997-2005.

OBJECTIVE

To determine prevalence of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in Chest Disease Institute. World Health Organization has given the definition of XDR-TB as multi-drug resistant tuberculosis which also resists fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The present study was a retrospective review and conducted at Microbiology Unit, Chest Disease Institute. Drug susceptibility testing against fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside have been done routinely since 1997. Laboratory results were studied to find XDR-TB patients and medical record information were reviewed. Laboratory results in 2006-2007 were not completed so were not included in the review.

RESULTS

The result of the present study showed that from 1997 to 2005. 10,289 patients were tested for drug susceptibility. XDR-TB was found in 39 patients. Prevalence of XDR-TB was 6, 6, 9, 4, 3, 3, 2, 4 and 2 patients from 1997-2005 respectively. Most of XDR-TB patients were also resistant to Streptomycin and 39% resistant to Ethambutol. No data of resistance to second line drugs of XDR-TB was done in the present study.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirmed the existing of XDR-TB in Thai patient for a long time but not in increasing rate. The authorized TB Control organization should take XDR-TB as an important problem and developed capacity of tuberculosis laboratory in order to be able to diagnose XDR-TB.