[Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis: its relation with coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus. 5-year study].

BACKGROUND

To analyze the situation of resistance to antituberculous drugs among strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recovered in our environment during a five-year period and its relationship with HIV co-infection.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Review of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains recovered from patients aged older than 14 years in Hospital Joan March from 1992 to 1996 of which a susceptibility testing study by means of the multiple proportions method was available. The initial or secondary resistance was considered according to the previous antituberculosis treatment antecedent.

RESULTS

The susceptibility testing was available from 179 cases (136 males and 43 females) out of a total of 214. The overall resistance rate to any of the tested drugs was 10.1% (18 cases) with a 4% (6 cases) of initial and 38.7% (12 cases) secondary resistances. Co-infection with HIV showed not to be a risk factor for the development of resistance. No significant increase was observed analyzing the temporal trend through the five years studied.

CONCLUSIONS

At present, the situation of resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis seems not to be alarming in our environment. Co-infection with HIV has not been shown to be associated with an increase in resistance rates.