title: Epidemiological Characterization of Drug Resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolated from Patients in Northeast of Iran during 2012-2013.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberculosis is still one of the most important health problems in developing countries and increasing drug resistance is the main concern for its treatment. This study was designed to characterize the drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis in northeast of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study during 2012-2013, drug susceptibility testing was performed on Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated in northeast of Iran using proportional method. Epidemiological data concerning these strains were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 125 studied isolates, 25 mycobacteria (20%) were diagnosed as nontuberculosis mycobacteria. Among the remaining 100 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, the resistance rates were 7%, 7%, 3%, and 9% against isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and streptomycin, respectively. Four isolates were resistant against both isoniazid and rifampin (MDR tuberculosis). The highest resistance rate was observed among 15-45-year-old patients. The MDR tuberculosis was much more prevalent among those who had previous history of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering these findings, DOTS strategy should be emphasized and promptly used in order to prevent further resistance. Regarding the high rate of nontuberculosis mycobacteria, it is recommended that confirmatory tests were performed before any therapeutic decision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavanaee Sani
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shakiba
authors.affiliation: Departments of Community Medicine, School of Medicine and Research Center for Patient Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7325-6160
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Bahrami Taghanaki
authors.affiliation: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, University Street, P.O. Box 5165665931, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Seiedeh Fatemeh
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ayati Fard
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Buali Research Institute and Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Kiarash
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghazvini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin