A case-control study for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: Risk factors in four European countries

Manuel Casal, M. Vaquero, H. Rinder, E. Tortoli, J. Grosset, S. Rüsch-Gerdes, J. Gutiérrez, V. Jarlier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect risk factors for multidrug resistance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in four European Union countries: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. A prospective epidemiological case control study was conducted, made up of patients with clinically diagnosed and microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in the four countries between 1997 and 2000. A total of 138 cases and 276 contols were studied. Considering the four countries as a whole, the most statistically significant risk factors were as follows: intravenous drug use (OR 4.68); asylum-seeker support (OR 2.55) as income factor; living in a nursing home (OR 2.05); previous tuberculosis (OR 2.03) with pulmonary location; prison (OR 2.02); known tuberculosis contacts (OR 2.01); immunosuppression other than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR 1.96); acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (OR 1.96); current tuberculosis with pulmonary location (OR 1.77); and health-care worker (OR 1.69). These risk factors will have to be taken into account in the European Union as a whole, as well as in each individual country, to establish a health policy of monitoring and control for these cases of multidrug resistance. Although rare, their seriousness makes them particularly important.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)62-67
Number of pages6
JournalMicrobial Drug Resistance
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Microbiology (medical)

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