Study prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Tuberculosis in East Azerbaijan province of Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a man-made problem. While tuberculosis is hundred percent curable, multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is difficult to treat. Inadequate and incomplete treatment and poor treatment adherence has led to a newer form of drug resistance known as extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of XDR-TB in east Azerbaijan province of Iran. Methods: Drug susceptibility testing to second line drugs including amikacin, kanamycin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was performed on isolated eight MDR-TB strains. H37RV Mycobacterium tuberculosis (susceptible to all drugs) was used as a control strain. Results: Eight strains out of 230 isolates (3.48%) were diagnosed to be MDR-TB, and three strains (1.3%) out of eight MDR-TB strains, were found to be XDR. All three XDR strains were from patients who had come to Iran from Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan. All patents were male. Conclusion: Since the XDR-TB was only seen from Nakhchivanian patients isolates, referring these patients to Tabriz Research Center of TB and pulmonary diseases for diagnosis and treatment is problematic, and special measures should be taken.