Parts of katG and rpoB from 27 RussianMycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were sequenced to detect mutations causing resistance to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RMP), respectively. All 24 INH-resistant isolates had a mutatedkatG, and 22 of them (91.7%) carried a mutation coding for a Ser315Thr shift. An rpoB mutation was noted for each of the 21 RMP-resistant isolates, with Ser531Leu being the most prevalent change encoded. Only two isolates had identical IS6110fingerprints.

No abstract

Thirty-six pyrazinamide-resistant and eight pyrazinamide-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosisisolates from Russia were analyzed for their pncAmutations. Thirty-one (86.1%) of the resistant isolates had a mutation either in pncA or upstream of the gene. Twenty of the 23 different mutations found in this study had not been described earlier.pncA genotype correlated well with pyrazinamidase activity and BACTEC 460 susceptibility test results.

The morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates of tuberculosis have increased in the Russian Federation since 1991. Increased drug resistance may be one reason for the weakened efficacy of local tuberculosis treatments. Laboratory data on tuberculosis resistance were collected from a survey area that included two republics and seven other administrative regions (oblasts) with a total population of more than 14 million. Susceptibility data from 1991 through 1994 were available from all nine regions; data on resistance to individual drugs and data from 1984 through 1994 were available from the Leningrad region and the city of St. Petersburg. From 1991 through 1994. the annual notification rate of tuberculosis increased in the survey area by 53.7% (from 25.1 to 38.6 cases per 100000 inhabitants), tuberculosis mortality doubled (from 4.4 to 9.2 deaths per 100000), and primary resistance to at least one drug increased from 17% (95% CI, 14.9-19.9) to 24% (95% CI, 22.2.-25.8). The prevalence of primary resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampin (multidrug resistance) was 5.1% in the Leningrad region in 1992 through 1994. The proportion of pulmonary isolates with secondary multidrug resistance increased from 21.6% (95% CI 7.9-25.3%) in the period 1984-1994 to 33% (95% CI 29.7-36.3%) in 1989-1994. Even if these figures are biased upwards because of selection, it can be concluded that secondary resistance to tuberculosis drugs was already prevalent in northwestern Russia ten years ago. Since then, a distinct shift towards multidrug resistance has occurred. The lower prevalence of primary multidrug resistance raises hopes that the resistance problem can be controlled with properly designed and monitored therapeutic measures.

The morbidity, mortality, and relapse rates of tuberculosis have increased in the Russian Federation since 1991. Increased drug resistance may be one reason for the weakened efficacy of local tuberculosis treatments. Laboratory data on tuberculosis resistance were collected from a survey area that included two republics and seven other administrative regions (oblasts) with a total population of more than 14 million. Susceptibility data from 1991 through 1994 were available from all nine regions; data on resistance to individual drugs and data from 1984 through 1994 were available from the Leningrad region and the city of St. Petersburg. From 1991 through 1994. the annual notification rate of tuberculosis increased in the survey area by 53.7% (from 25.1 to 38.6 cases per 100000 inhabitants), tuberculosis mortality doubled (from 4.4 to 9.2 deaths per 100000), and primary resistance to at least one drug increased from 17% (95% CI, 14.9-19.9) to 24% (95% CI, 22.2.-25.8). The prevalence of primary resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampin (multidrug resistance) was 5.1% in the Leningrad region in 1992 through 1994. The proportion of pulmonary isolates with secondary multidrug resistance increased from 21.6% (95% CI 7.9-25.3%) in the period 1984-1994 to 33% (95% CI 29.7-36.3%) in 1989-1994. Even if these figures are biased upwards because of selection, it can be concluded that secondary resistance to tuberculosis drugs was already prevalent in northwestern Russia ten years ago. Since then, a distinct shift towards multidrug resistance has occurred. The lower prevalence of primary multidrug resistance raises hopes that the resistance problem can be controlled with properly designed and monitored therapeutic measures.

Context.—Tuberculosis of the joints and bones is a significant worldwide problem, often leading to joint and bone destruction. The diagnosis of this disease manifestation is difficult. Objective.—To assess the role of conventional diagnostics compared to polymerase chain reaction applied to samples obtained at arthroscopy. Design.—This was an open observational study that was blinded to the microbiologist, histopathologist, and molecular biologist responsible for assessing the main outcome measures. Patients.—Seven patients (8 samples) with joint and bone tuberculosis and 14 patients (16 samples) with nontuberculous joint and bone disease. Intervention.—Arthroscopic examination and tissue sample collection. Main Outcome Measures.—Mycobacterium tuberculosis staining, culture, and histopathologic assessment of caseating granulomas vs polymerase chain reaction. Results.—Polymerase chain reaction was positive in all cases of true tuberculosis and falsely identified 2 samples as positive, both however, in patients who had lung tuberculosis in the past. Conclusions.—Conventional bacteriological methods for demonstration of M tuberculosis are not very sensitive and can be time-consuming. Polymerase chain reaction of arthroscopically obtained joint tissue biopsies appears promising in the early diagnosis of tuberculous arthritis.