title: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) - a potential threat in Ireland.
abstract: We describe a case of a 25 year old female from Lithuania who presented with a productive cough. Chest radiograph demonstrated an infiltrate in the left upper lobe and a cavitating lesion in the right middle lobe. Sensitivity testing of her sputum led to a diagnosis of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). This is the first case in Ireland and highlights the need for physicians to be aware of the possibility of XDR-TB. Moreover it underlines the need for improvement in service provision in terms of a TB reference laboratory and TB clinics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, CREST Directorate, St James' Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. annemmclaughlin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mc Laughlin
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: Darina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Flangan
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keane