Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Denmark 1993-1995

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 1; no. 4; pp. 299 - 301
• Main Authors: Viskum, Kok-Jensen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris, France IUATLD 01.08.1997
• Subjects: Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - economics; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - epidemiology; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - prevention & control; Antitubercular Agents - adverse effects; Antitubercular Agents - economics; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Child, Preschool; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Denmark - epidemiology; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Incidence; Long-Term Care - economics; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Multidrug Resistance; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - drug effects; National Survey; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant - economics; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant - epidemiology; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant - prevention & control; Denmark
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920

SETTING: All bacteriologically confirmed new cases of tuberculosis and treatment relapses in Denmark are examined for drug resistance. In the years 1993-1995, nine cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), all acquired outside Denmark, were identified among 1354 cases of tuberculosis.OBJECTIVE: To examine incidence, treatment and prognosis for patients with tuberculosis due to MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis.DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of routine data.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Multidrug resistance was present in less than one percent of patients with tuberculosis. One patient died from tuberculosis without revision of treatment, and eight patients responded favourably to a regimen of pyrazinamide, streptomycin or amikacin, ofloxacin and cycloserine. In two patients, this regimen was supplemented with para-aminosalicylic acid and thiacetazone respectively. All patients needed prolonged hospitalization and had observed treatment. It is possible to cure such patients, but it is a lengthy and expensive process. It is expected that similar cases will be imported into the country and that they will occur within Denmark in the future.