[Frequency of MDR-TB/XDR-TB strains isolated from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Japan].

Purpose: To observe the frequency of MDR-TB/XDR-TB strains isolated from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Japan.

Object: Ad hoc National Tuberculosis Survey 2000 on frequency of MDR-TB and XDR-TB strains.

Materials And Method: Four hundred and thirty four clinical isolates were collected by the Ad hoc National Tuberculosis Survey 2000, the drug susceptibility testings (proportion method, MGIT Middlebrook, and BrothMIC NTM) were conducted on these strains.

Overview of anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs and their resistance mechanisms.

One-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis. Tuberculosis continues to be the most common infectious cause of death and still has a serious impact, medically, socially and financially.