RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of reported cases with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2007-2009
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2612
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Vladimir Milanov
A1 Mariya Zamfirova
A1 Tonka Varleva
A1 Elizabeta Bachiyska
A1 Antoniya Koleva
A1 Angelina Yaneva
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2612.abstract
AB A retrospective study of all patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) registered and reported in Bulgaria during the period 2007-2009 was performed.Aim: To make epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of all cases with culture confirmed MDR-TB recorded and reported in the country during the above-mentioned period.Materials and methods: Case-based data for all TB patients recorded and reported by the regional TB health facilities for the period 2007-2009, data sent by the microbiological laboratories for TB diagnosis, and TB registries of the NRL-TB at the NCIPD were examined.Results: According to the case-based data, a total of 149 MDR-TB patients (age range 18-87) were recorded and reported during the period 2007-2009, representing 5.3% of all tested with DST. Out of all MDR-TB cases, 107 (72%) were male. Fifty-six patients (38%) were new, and 93 cases (62%) were previously treated. Out of all registered MDR-TB patients, 88.6% were confirmed by the NRL-TB.Conclusion: The case-based registries provide exact clinical, microbiological and epidemiological information, avoiding case duplication during the reporting period. The frequency of MDR-TB among previously treated TB cases is higher, mainly among the relapses and the defaulters after previous treatment. Active investigation among the contacts of MDR-TB cases and among targeted groups of TB patients (defaulters, failure of treatment, chronic cases), and confirmation of the resistance by the NRL-TB is needed, in order to provide timely and appropriate treatment of all confirmed MDR-TB cases.