Drug-resistant tuberculosis and cross-border patient: A retrospective analysis from a Thailand–Myanmar border area

Abstract

Background: Drug-resistant tuberculosis becomes an important clinical problem in clinical mycobacteriology. The high incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis is presently reported from Indochina, a tropical zone of the world. Methods: This work is a retrospective study on the available epidemiological data regarding drug-resistant tuberculosis in a Thailand–Myanmar border area. Results: The change of incidence of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis can be demonstrated. The cross-border patient contributes to an important proportion of overall cases with tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis in this setting. Conclusion: Cross-border patient can affect the local situation of drug-resistant tuberculosis. To have a specific action regarding tuberculosis control for the cross-border patient is very important.