Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the susceptibility patterns of patient and source case strains of M. tuberculosis to ascertain if the susceptibility pattern of the source case strain could be used as a guide in the initial selection of the patients' antituberculous drug regimen. In 119 culture positive patients, source cases were identified who had positive cultures. All strains had susceptibility tests for isoniazid, streptomycin, para-aminosalycilic acid, ethionamide and when available ethambutol and rifampin. In 111 instances (93.3%) the patient strain and the source case strain had identical drug susceptibility patterns. Drug resistant strains were found in 28 of the 119 cases. In only 8 instances (6.7%) the susceptibility pattern of the patient strain and the source case strain were dissimilar. In the total group, there was only one instance (0.8%) in which the susceptibility pattern for isoniazid did not match. These findings emphasize the importance of obtaining the susceptibility pattern of the source case and using it as a guide in the initial selection of a therapeutic regimen. This is especially important for patients from groups or areas with a high primary drug resistance rate.
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Steiner, P., Mitchell, M. & Rao, M. A 22 YEAR STUDY OF CHILDHOOD RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS WITH EMPHASIS ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF MATCHED PATIENT AND SOURCE CASE STRAINS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 406 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01881
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01881
