Green, EObi, C.LNchabeleng, MVilliers, B.E. deSein, P.PLetsoalo, THoosen, A.ABessong, P.ONdip, R.N2016-02-182016-02-182010-02Green E, Obi C.L, Nchabeleng M, Villiers B.E. de, Sein P.P, Letsoalo T, Hoosen A.A, Bessong P.O, Ndip R.N. Drug-susceptibility Patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: Possible Guiding Design of Retreatment Regimen. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2010 Feb; 28(1):7-13.1606-0997http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/173348Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has been a cause of concern in both developed and developing countries. The prevalence of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates (n=692) from Mpumalanga province was assessed. In total, 692 (64%) MTB strains from cases with pulmonary TB were tested for susceptibility against rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and streptomycin using the MGIT 960 instrument. Two hundred and nine (30.2%) strains were resistant to one or more drugs. Resistance to one drug ranged from 1.4% for ethambutol to 17.7% for rifampicin. The prevalence of MDR-TB ranged from 6.7% for three drugs to 34% for four drugs, with significant predictors being patients’ age-groups of 25-54 years (p=0.0012) and >55 years (p=0.007). The result showed a high level (58.4%) of MDR-TB from cases in Mpumalanga province. To achieve a higher cure rate in this province, drug-susceptibility tests must be done for every case.enDrug resistanceMicrobialMycobacterium tuberculosisRisk factorsTuberculosisSouth AfricaArticle