BMJ Case Reports 2012-01-01

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis that required 2 years for diagnosis.

Shuichi Yano, Kanako Kobayashi, Toshikazu Ikeda

Index: BMJ Case Rep. 2012 , doi:10.1136/bcr.02.2010.2775, (2012)

Full Text: HTML

Abstract

Isoniazid (H) or rifampicin (R) mono-resistant disease can be treated easily and effectively with first-line drugs, while combined H and R resistance (ie, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB)) requires treatment with at least four agents, including a quinolone and an injectable agent. Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are reported to be extremely difficult to cultivate invitro. The authors report a case of MDRTB that required 2 years for diagnosis, and was detected only in sputum culture on solid medium. Physicians should consider MDRTB if TB is suspected but pathogens are not detected.