A Study on the Drug Susceptibility Test of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients

Han, Mun Deok; Im, Jeong Soo; Yim, Jun; Oh, Dae Kyu

Abstract

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is an emerging threat to humans. Despite steady efforts of the national tuberculosis control program, current prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis rate is increasing in Korea. In Korea, it is effective to both improve the medical transfer system on tuberculosis, and also to make a new tuberculosis patient control system with integrated public-private sector. Improvement focused on the new medical transfer system is a suitable model considering current situation of the Korean medical system. This model can be achieved by replacing the traditional drug susceptibility test method, which requires a long turnaround time, with rapid molecular biological method, and improving the overall process of specimen transport system, report system, and guidelines for tuberculosis, as well. Using such model, doctors can discover multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients at an earlier stage, prescribe appropriate drugs at the right time, and effectively support directly observed treatment short course strategy. Therefore, this new model for improvement of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis control program, medical transfer system-focused public-private integrated system, can present an effective tool for enhancing and modifying functions of the current national tuberculosis programme in Korea.