Resistance to tuberculosis drugs in Cuba, 2015-2017

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis continues to be an important health problem worldwide. In the year 2016, as many as 600 000 cases of rifampicin resistance were estimated, among which 490 000 were multi-drug resistant.

Objective: Describe the behavior of resistance to M. tuberculosis isolates in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis reported in Cuba in the period 2015-2017.

Methods: Susceptibility to isoniazid and rifampicin was determined by the nitratase method. Susceptibility of rifampicin resistant / multi-drug resistant isolates to ofloxacin, kanamycin, amikacin and capreomycin was determined by the proportional method.

Results: Of the isolates analyzed, 93.2% were sensitive to isoniazid and rifampicin. Isoniazid resistance was identified in 39 and 23 were rifampicin resistant. Ten multi-drug resistant isolates were identified. Resistance to second line drugs was not detected.

Conclusions: Results warn about the need to study the factors leading to the increase in resistant tuberculosis in Cuba.