Romanian anti-TB drugs resistance surveillance 2003-2004.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED Romania decided and initiated a DRS for anti-TB drugs at national level using the standardized methodology proposed by WHO and IUATLD. The DRS protocol was designed with technical assistance from WHO; the surveillance started in June 2003 and ended in June 2004. It was tested the susceptibility to the 4 first line anti-TB drugs Isoniazide (H), Rifampicin (R), Streptomycin (S), Ethambutol (E). Drug susceptibility testing used indirect absolute concentration method. There were included in the survey 1251 TB patients from the 60 clusters 869 new cases and 382 previously treated. From the penitentiary system were included 85 TB patients, 47 new cases and 38 previously treated. RESULTS: [table see text]. Estimations of the trend of anti-TB drug resistance in Romania for the next period was proposed.