Increasing incidence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mumbai, India.
METHODS
Tertiary referral centre, private hospital, Mumbai, India.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the incidence of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in our laboratory from 1995 to 2004.


METHODS
Retrospective review and analysis of the drug susceptibility test records of all M. tuberculosis culture-positive samples from our Microbiology Department from 1995 to 2004.


RESULTS
FQ resistance has increased exponentially in our laboratory, from 3% in 1996 to 35% in 2004. The incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has also increased during the same period, from 33% in 1995 to 56% in 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of FQ-resistant M. tuberculosis is gradually increasing to alarming levels. This may be due to widespread use of this vital group of drugs in the treatment of community-acquired infections. We urge that these broad spectrum antibiotics be used judiciously, and ideally be reserved for treatment of resistant TB in TB-endemic areas.
Agrawal
D
D
Department of Respiratory Medicine, P D Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India. dipiagr@hotmail.com
Udwadia
Z F
ZF
Rodriguez
C
C
Mehta
A
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054908:Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones