Primary resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain current, representative information on current drug resistance patterns in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study whereby 167 isolates were tested for susceptibility to the anti-tuberculosis drugs commonly used in the country (isoniazid, thiacetazone, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol). All hospitals, health centres and 6 of the 9 clinics in Addis Ababa were included in the study.


RESULTS
Overall primary drug resistance was found to be 15.6% (26/167). Primary resistance to two or more drugs was 7.2% (12/167). The highest rate of primary resistance was to streptomycin (10.2%) followed by isoniazid (8.4%). Resistance to rifampicin was low (1.8%, 3/167) and to ethambutol nil. Multiple drug resistance in combinations with rifampicin was low.


CONCLUSIONS
To prevent further development and spread of resistance, universal use of standard treatment protocol, control of the circulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs, training of health workers, expansion of strictly supervised short-course treatment and establishing a nation-wide and regular surveillance system are recommended.
Demissie
M
M
National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gebeyehu
M
M
Berhane
Y
Y
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015995:Prevalence; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013828:Thioacetazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D004977:Ethambutol; D013828:Thioacetazone; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin; D013307:Streptomycin