Low antimicrobial resistance rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex between 2000 and 2015 in Gipuzkoa, northern
Diego Vicente1, Mikel Basterretxea2, Idoia de la Caba3
1Departmento de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Donostia, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Biomedical Research Center Network for Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad del País Vasco, Leioa, Spain.
Objective:
Although the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has declined, TB drug resistance remains a major problem. The TB rate in Gipuzkoa (northern Spain) is higher than the European average. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1855 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates (94.5% of confirmed cases between 2000 and 2015).
Methods:
Susceptibility testing was performed using the agar proportion method and a commercial broth system (MGIT 960). In isoniazid- or rifampicin-resistant strains, we studied genetic determinants of drug resistance and genotype (MIRU-VNTR).
Results:
The annual mean incidence of TB was 24.5 cases per 100,000 population on average, and tended to decrease. The multidrug-resistant TB rate was 0.5% (9/1855), and no extensively drug-resistant TB strains were detected. Rates of resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin were 3.9% (range, 3.4-4.3%) and 0.6% (range, 0.4-1.4%), respectively. TB resistance was more common among foreign-born individuals and those who had received previous TB treatment. Genotyping of 102 resistant strains showed predominance of the Euro-American lineage, although 4/9 multidrug-resistant strains had Eastern lineages (2 East African-Indian, and 2 East Asian [Beijing]).
Conclusions:
In Gipuzkoa, with a moderate incidence of TB, resistance was very low, mostly being detected among individuals who were born abroad or who had a history of TB treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Antimicrobial Effectiveness
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
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...
Resistivity


