title: High rate of rifampicin resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and pattern of resistance to antituberculosis drugs among patients with sputum-proven pulmonary tuberculosis who were seen in Taif Chest Hospital over 24 months (between June 1986 and May 1988). The overall prevalence was 22.6% and the majority (53%) were resistant to two drugs. Resistance to streptomycin was most frequent (16%) followed by rifampicin (15%). Resistance to isoniazid was surprisingly low (6.5%). 23.3% of the resistant group had previously received antituberculosis drugs as against 15.4% in the sensitive group. There was a significant association between previous therapy and resistance to antituberculosis drugs. Recommendations to reduce the problem of resistance and to improve compliance are discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jarallah
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: al Hajjaj
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bukhari
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: al Shareef
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: al-Shammari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin; D013307:Streptomycin