[Surveillance of resistance to antitubercular drugs in Cuba, 2000-2009].

OBJECTIVE

Determine the prevalence of resistance to antitubercular drugs in Cuba in the 2000-2009 decade.

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted. The sample group consisted of 2,285 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates obtained from throughout the country in the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009. The proportion method was used in Löwenstein-Jensen media with the first-line drugs: isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol, and rifampicin.

RESULTS

In the new cases and patients with a history of previous treatment, resistance was 8.5% and 37.0%, respectively. In these case categories, multidrug resistance was 0.4% and 8.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows low prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains in Cuba. The results reflect the progress made by the national control program, which is currently working on the elimination of tuberculosis as a public health problem in the country.