ANALYSIS OF SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF MYCOBACTERIAL ISOLATES IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Background: The increasing incidence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains presents a significant challenge in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Understanding susceptibility patterns is crucial for effective treatment.

Aim: To analyze the susceptibility patterns of mycobacterial isolates from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods: A total of 150 mycobacterial isolates from confirmed PTB patients were analyzed for susceptibility to first-line anti-TB drugs using the proportion method. Inclusion criteria included adults aged 18 years and older with laboratory-confirmed PTB; exclusion criteria included prior treatment with anti-tubercular drugs in the last six months.

Results: The study identified resistance rates of 36.7% for rifampicin, 40.0% for isoniazid, and notable resistance for other first-line drugs.
Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring of drug resistance to inform clinical practices and public health strategies.

Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, Mycobacterial isolates, Drug resistance, Susceptibility patterns, Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.