Multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in Los Altos, Selva and Norte regions, Chiapas, Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the proportion of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in cultures performed during the period 2000-2002 in Los Altos, Selva and Norte regions, Chiapas, Mexico, and to analyse MDR-TB in terms of clinical and sociodemographic indicators.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) from the above regions. Drug susceptibility testing results from two research projects were analysed, as were those of routine sputum samples sent in by health personnel for processing (n = 114). MDR-TB was analysed in terms of the various variables of interest using bivariate tests of association and logistic regression.


RESULTS
The proportion of primary MDR-TB was 4.6% (2 of 43), that of secondary MDR-TB was 29.2% (7/24), while among those whose history of treatment was unknown the proportion was 14.3% (3/21). According to the logistic regression model, the variables most highly associated with MDR-TB were as follows: having received anti-tuberculosis treatment previously, cough of >3 years' duration and not being indigenous.


CONCLUSIONS
The high proportion of MDR cases found in the regions studied shows that it is necessary to significantly improve the control and surveillance of PTB.
Sánchez-Pérez
H J
HJ
Area Académica de Sociedad, Cultura y Salud, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México. hsanchez@ecosur.mx
Díaz-Vázquez
A
A
Nájera-Ortiz
J C
JC
Balandrano
S
S
Martín-Mateo
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000995:Antitubercular Agents