Outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in two secondary schools.

OBJECTIVES: To describe an outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in two schools METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of an outbreak of MDR-TB in 2 schools located in the towns of Onda and Nules, in the Spanish province of Castellon, from the moment of detection in November 2008 until November 2014, including patient follow-up and contact tracing. RESULTS: Five cases of MDR-TB were diagnosed. Overall attack rate was 0.9%, and among the contacts traced, 66 had latent tuberculous infection, with an infection rate of 14.4%. Molecular characterization of the 5M. tuberculosis isolates was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the IS6110 sequence. In all 5 patients, cultures were negative at 4-month follow-up, showing the efficacy of the treatment given. No recurrence has been reported to date. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of globalization and the increased prevalence of MDR-TB, outbreaks such as the one presented here are only to be expected. Contact tracing, strict follow-up of confirmed cases, the availability of fast diagnostic techniques to avoid treatment delay, and chemoprophylaxis, together with the molecular characterization of strains, are still essential.

Brote de tuberculosis multirresistente en dos colegios de educación secundaria / Outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in two secondary schools

Objetivos: Descripción de un brote de tuberculosis multirresistente (TB-MDR) en el medio escolar. Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio prospectivo y observacional de un brote de TB-MDR en 2 colegios de Onda y de Nules de educación secundaria, en la provincia de Castellón, desde su detección en noviembre de 2008 hasta noviembre de 2014, con seguimiento de los casos y estudio de los contactos. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 5 casos de TB-MDR, con una tasa global de ataque de la enfermedad del 0,9% y en el estudio de contactos se detectaron 66 con infección latente tuberculosa, con una tasa de infección del 14,4%. Los 5 aislamientos de M. tuberculosis se estudiaron mediante el análisis del polimorfismo de los fragmentos de restricción (RFLP) de la secuencia IS6110 para su caracterización molecular. En los 5 pacientes el cultivo se negativizó a los 4 meses, demostrando la eficacia del tratamiento pautado, sin recaídas hasta la actualidad. Conclusiones: Con la actual globalización y el aumento de la TB-MDR no es extraño la presentación de un brote como el que presentamos y sigue siendo fundamental el estudio de los contactos, el seguimiento estricto de los casos y la disponibilidad de las técnicas de diagnóstico para no demorar el inicio del tratamiento y la quimioprofilaxis, así como la caracterización molecular de las cepas

Objectives: To describe an outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in two schools. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of an outbreak of MDR-TB in 2 schools located in the towns of Onda and Nules, in the Spanish province of Castellon, from the moment of detection in November 2008 until November 2014, including patient follow-up and contact tracing. Results: Five cases of MDR-TB were diagnosed. Overall attack rate was 0.9%, and among the contacts traced, 66 had latent tuberculous infection, with an infection rate of 14.4%. Molecular characterization of the 5M. tuberculosis isolates was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the IS6110 sequence. In all 5 patients, cultures were negative at 4-month follow-up, showing the efficacy of the treatment given. No recurrence has been reported to date. Conclusions: In the context of globalization and the increased prevalence of MDR-TB, outbreaks such as the one presented here are only to be expected. Contact tracing, strict follow-up of confirmed cases, the availability of fast diagnostic techniques to avoid treatment delay, and chemoprophylaxis, together with the molecular characterization of strains, are still essential