Susceptibility of a series of routine sputum samples for antituberculosis chemotherapy in Gweru, Zimbabwe
Date
2004
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the
commonly used antibiotics in national tuberculosis
programmes (NTPs) is a growing concern in many parts of the
world.1 Nevertheless there is much anecdotal, but little
published, evidence that drug resistance is becoming an
important barrier to effective TB control.2 In Zimbabwe the
only routine source of data on drug resistance that is going
further than individual case management is that of the national
TB reference laboratory. This institute is performing routine
drug susceptibility testing on sputum samples for the whole
country. According to the NTBP guidelines, this test is only
done on specific indications, i.c. when a sputum-positive
patient has not converted to negative after 2 months of
intensive antituberculosis chemotherapy.
Description
CITATION: Apers, L. M. & Chihota, V. 2004. Susceptibility of a series of routine sputum samples for antituberculosis chemotherapy in Gweru, Zimbabwe. South African Medical Journal, 94(4):282.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Tuberculosis