Reasearch from the University of New South Wales and the University of Western Syndney indicates that antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis are more likely than drug-sensitive strains to persist and spread. Studies point to inconsisent or partial treatment of the disease as well as neglect of infection control measures as contributing factors to the spread of the contagious disease.
The research focused on data from Cuba, Estonia and Venezuela to estimate the rate of evolution of drug resistant TB strains well as to understand better the “reproductive fitness” of those strains and to predict their spread.
While the drug-resistant strains have a lower transmission than drug-sensitive strains, the infections they cause are longer lasting. TB is a contagious disease and an individual with untreated TB is likely to infect up to 15 people per year. According to UNSW’s Dr.Fabio Luciani, “….limiting further transmission of TB might be an effective approach to reducing the impact of drug resistance.”
New source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161957.htm
