Framework: Galicia, a region in north-east Spain with its own government and health system and a population of 2 695 880.
Objective: To study the epidemiology of resistant tuberculosis (TB).
Design: A prospective, descriptive, and observational study of all Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates processed by each of the laboratories in Galicia that perform mycobacterial cultures. The study followed the methodology recommended by the World Health Organization and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and included isolates processed between 1 November 2001 and 1 June 2002.
Findings: Of 400 strains analysed, 360 corresponded to previously untreated cases and 40 to previously treated cases. Of the previously untreated cases, 88.3% contained strains susceptible to isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol, while 4.4% were resistant to isoniazid. The rate of susceptibility to the four drugs was 77.5% in the previously treated cases. Multidrug-resistant TB was detected in 1.4% of the previously untreated cases and in 7.5% of the previously treated cases.
Conclusion: Although Galicia has a high incidence of TB (49.4 cases per 100 000 population in 2001), the resistance levels detected by the study do not currently pose a serious problem for the region.