Surveillance results of first-line anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in tuberculosis patients in Lishui, Zhejiang, 2013–2018

ObjectiveTo understand the resistance of the first-line anti TB drugs in tuberculosis (TB) patients in Lishui, Zhejiang province, and provide reference basis for TB prevention and control.

MethodsThe Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains collected from 2013 to 2018 were identified and tested for the sensitivity to isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol.

ResultsThe drug resistance of 1 883 strains of M. tuberculosis was detected, the strains were from 1 770 newly treated pulmonary TB cases and 113 retreated pulmonary TB cases. The overall drug resistance rate was 17.15% and the multidrug resistance rate was 5.74%. The drug resistance rate in newly treated pulmonary TB cases was 15.42% (273/1 770), lower than that in retreated TB cases (44.25%, 50/113). In newly treated pulmonary TB cases, the resistance rate to streptomycin was highest, followed by isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol. In retreated pulmonary TB cases, the resistance rate to isoniazid was highest, followed by rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol.

ConclusionThe overall drug resistance rate and multidrug resistance rate in pulmonary TB cases in Lishui were lower than province and national baseline level and the level in last round surveillance in Lishui, but the multidrug resistance of TB was still serious.