Emergence of Extensive Drug Resistance during Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Abstract

Emergence of Extensive Drug Resistance during Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Correspondence, N Engl J Med 2008;359:2398-2400. The penultimate paragraph (page 2399) should have ended with, &x201C;These data point to the risk of nosocomial transmission of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains in high-incidence settings, even with the implementation of the best available and sustainable infection-control measures, which in this case included limiting the number of patients in each room and restricting patient congregation to well-ventilated communal areas. Ultraviolet lights installed initially proved to be unworkable over time, for safety reasons, and it was difficult to provide sufficient ventilation in subzero temperatures,&x201D; rather than &x201C;These data point to the risk of nosocomial transmission of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains in high-incidence settings, even with implementation of infection-control measures such as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, natural and artificial ventilation, and limitations on the number of patients per room.&x201D; The article has been corrected at NEJM.org.