[Epidemiological features of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a reference service in São Paulo city].

In order to study certain epidemiological features of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) carriers and their influence on the control and treatment, a group of patients was evaluated over a four-year period, selected by: Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolation from sputum; resistance to Rifampin, Isoniazid and one more drug, or, failure of reserve regimen, all cases were from a tuberculosis reference unit in the City of S o Paulo. A total of 182 patients were reviewed, with a mean age of 35.7 +/- 6.