Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important health issues in developing countries. Understanding the epidemiology of TB is essential for effective control of the disease. Drug-resistant TB is a danger that threatens the world and should be taken seriously; the highest incidence of TB in Iran is in the provinces of Sistan, Baluchestan and Golestan because of Afghan refugees. The incidence of TB in the country is 13.5 per thousand. This figure is 7 to 9 per thousand in developed countries; and in Africa it is 150 per thousand. The cost of treatment and hospitalization of patients with TB approximates 60 USD. In patients with resistant TB (MDR) admission is about 4333 USD. Ultra-resistant tuberculosis or XDR TB treatment is several times that. Although the prevalence of TB in our country has decreased due to free medical care for these patients, rapid two-hour TB diagnosis centers, vaccination, chemoprophylaxis, education, system of recording and reporting patients etc., multidrug resistant TB however, has increased.