Drug resistance pattern in sputum positive treatment failure cases admitted to Aung San TB Hospital

ABSTRACT

One hundred and thirty five sputum positive failure patients admitted to Aung San Tuberculosis Hospital during October 1994 to January 1995 were studied for drug resistance pattern, probable associated clinical, social, demographic factors and sputum negative rate on retreatment. Ninety three cases were able to proceed resistance testing to isoniazid, rifamppicin and streptomycin. The result revealed resistant to one drug (31.2 percent); resistant to 2 drugs (37.7 percent) and resistant to 3 drugs (15.1 percent). Multidrug resistant cases were 22 (23. 7 percent). No significant association was observed between drug resistance and cavity lung lesions, number of drugs previously exposed. An analysis of risk factor for drug resistance revealed no significant differences between age, sex, race, ethnic groups, area of localisation. Alcoholism, tobacco abuse, drug users, overcrowding in living conditions were common demographic characteristics. Inappropriate administration of drugs is commonly observed in patients. Sputum negative rate by short-course chemotherapy and 12-month regimen at the end of initial 3 months were 54.7 percent and 38 percent respectively.