title: Drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: We determined the primary and secondary resistance of isolates of M. tuberculosis to the standard antituberculous drugs in Karachi (Pakistan). Primary resistance to one or more anti-tuberculous drugs was found in 17% of 123 isolates of M. tuberculosis (obtained from patients with no history of previous treatment for tuberculosis). Secondary resistance was found in 36% of 33 isolates (obtained from individuals who had received anti-tuberculous treatment in the past). The drug to which organisms were most commonly resistant was isoniazid (11% primary resistance, 30% secondary resistance). Fifteen per cent of isolates obtained from previously-studied patients showed secondary resistance to rifampicin. We discuss the importance of these findings for tuberculosis treatment and control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ajanee
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jafri
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010154:Pakistan; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D007538:Isoniazid