Evolution of extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a susceptible ancestor in a single patient.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is characterized by a low mutation rate and a lack of genetic recombination. Yet, the rise of extensively resistant strains paints a picture of a microbe with an impressive adaptive potential. Here we describe the first documented case of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis evolved from a susceptible ancestor within a single patient.

Efficacy and safety of linezolid in multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)--a report of ten cases.

Objectives: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an increasing problem in many parts of the world and in Norway the increase has been substantial since 1998. New therapies for MDR-TB have not been introduced since the fluoroquinolones in the 1970s. The cure rate of this disease has been reported to be lower than for non-drug resistant TB, and the use of new experimental drugs in combination therapy is warranted.

[African trypanosomiasis--a rare imported disease].

This year at least nine cases of African trypanosomiasis have occurred among Europeans visiting the Serengeti Park in Tanzania. One of them was a 26-year-old Norwegian woman who was bitten by a tsetse fly in her face. She developed fever, nausea and other symptoms, and had thrombocytopenia and pathological liver values; trypanosoma parasites were demonstrated in her blood.