Drug Resistance Pattern of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Karachi

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the common diseases in our country. Inappropriate antituberculosis therapy (ATT) has lead to emergence of resistance to mycobacteria. DESIGN: A case series of 41 out door patients with sputum smear positive for pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: 41 patients attending out patient department of Imam Zain-ul-Abidin Hospital & Sarfarz Rafiqui Shaheed Hospital Karachi & diagnosed as pulmonary TB on clinical & investigational grounds were included in study. Sputum of all patients was positive for AFB staining. Sputum of all these patients was sent for mycobacterial culture & sensitivity. RESULTS: 41 patients, 23(56.1%) male & 18(43.9%) females were included in study. All patients had positive sputum smear for AFB. Culture for mycobacteria was positive in 37(90.24%) patients. Only 2(5.41%) patients were sensitive to all drugs. Highest resistance was observed to rifampicin & streptomycin 51.35% each. Resistance to isoniazid(INH) was 5.40% and to ethambutol was 8.10%. 2(5.41%) patients were found resistant to both INH & rifampicin i.e. Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis(MDR-TB). CONCLUSION: Drug resistance to mycobacteria is increasing irrespective of number/ combinations of drugs used.