Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Biofilms
Published on: February 15, 2012
Drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
F N S Kordy1, S Al-Thawadi, A A Alrajhi
1Section of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
To determine the rate and type of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Design:
Review of microbiology and infection control databases for all patients with culture-positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis between June 1981 and May 2003 at the hospital. BACTEC 460TB radiometry then MGIT 960 were used for both mycobacterial detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Results:
A total of 764 M. tuberculosis isolates were obtained from 764 patients. Resistance to first-line agents (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and streptomycin) was noted in 65 (8.5%). Resistance to isoniazid was the highest, noted in 54 (7.1%); resistance to rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol was found in respectively 21 (2.7%), 29 (3.8%) and 12 (1.6%) isolates. Polyresistance was noted in eight (1%) isolates and monoresistance in 38 (5%) isolates. Multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis was found in 19 (2.5%) isolates. There were 54 primary resistant isolates (7.6%), and 11 (22%) with acquired resistance. The median age of patients with resistant isolates was 38 years compared to 48 years for patients with sensitive isolates (P = 0.002).
Conclusion:
Resistance to first-line anti-tuberculosis agents and multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis remain relatively low in Saudi Arabia.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

