title: Drug resistance in tuberculosis.
abstract: Drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a worldwide problem. New laboratory methods have improved our ability to more rapidly identify resistant strains, but the most effective approach is to prevent the appearance of resistance by appropriate choice of antibiotics and directly-observed therapy. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is treated with familiar and unique drugs; consequently, mechanisms of resistance have some unique features. All drug resistance thus far identified develops by mutational events rather than acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria. An agenda is presented for countering the appearance of further drug resistance in mycobacteria.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Taber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salfinger
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D000995:Antitubercular Agents