DRUG-RESISTANCE AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS, NEW-YORK-CITY, 1991 AND 1992

The authors assessed drug susceptibility patterns among tuberculosis p atients reported to the New York City Department of Health in the firs t quarters of 1991 and 1992. Resistance to one or more drugs was seen in 26 percent (137 divided-by 520) in 1991 and 24 percent (122 divided -by 517) in 1992. Resistance to isoniazid was seen in 22 percent and 1 9 percent of patients in 1991 and 1992, respectively; resistance to ri fampin in 15 percent and 14 percent; and to both isoniazid and rifampi n in 15 percent and 14 percent. Combined resistance to four first line drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, and ethambutol) was seen in 6 percent (1991) and 8 percent (1992). Patients with organisms resist ant to both isonizid and rifampin were as likely among U.S. born as am ong foreign born, and younger patients were more likely than older pat ients to have isoniazid and rifampin resistant organisms. These findin gs underscore the importance of obtaining susceptibility testing in al l patients who have cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.