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Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Central Asia | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Central Asia

Cox HS, Orozco JD , Male R, Rüsch-Gerdes S, Falzon D, Small I, Doshetov D, Kebede YYK, Abdel Aziz M
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Abstract
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has emerged as a major threat to TB control, particularly in the former Soviet Union. To determine levels of drug resistance within a directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS) program supported by Médecins Sans Frontières in two regions in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, Central Asia, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of smear-positive TB patients in selected districts of Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan) and Dashoguz (Turkmenistan). High levels of MDR-TB were found in both regions. In Karakalpakstan, 14 (13%) of 106 new patients were infected with MDR-TB; 43 (40%) of 107 previously treated patients were similarly infected. The proportions for Dashoguz were 4% (4/105 patients) and 18% (18/98 patients), respectively. Overall, 27% of patients with positive smear results whose infections were treated through the DOTS program in Karakalpakstan and 11% of similar patients in Dashoguz were infected with multidrug-resistant strains of TB on admission. These results show the need for concerted action by the international community to contain transmission and reduce the effects of MDR-TB.

Countries

Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Languages

English
Published Date
01 May 2004
PubMed ID
15200821
Journal
Emerging Infectious Diseases