[Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

Abstract

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) has become an important health problem and threatens TB control worldwide. World Health Organization reported that there were an estimated 440,000 cases of MDR-TB in 2008. By July 2010, 58 countries and territories had reported at least one case of XDR-TB. The emergence of MDR/XDR-TB strains is reflection of poor tuberculosis management. To avoid the emergence of more resistant strains that may lead to almost untreatable TB, we must focus our efforts on the right management of drug susceptible TB.