Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a high-prevalence region through a binational consortium.

We describe the outcome of treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Baja California, Mexico, by a United States-Mexico consortium. From June 2006 to December 2010, 42 patients started treatment. Strains were resistant to 4.15 ± 1.3 drugs; all patients achieved culture conversion on treatment after an average of 3.4 ± 1.6 months. A total of 19 patients (47.5%) were discharged as cured, 3 died (7.5%) and 1 defaulted (2.5%). MDR-TB cases can be cured under a well-organized out-patient program; in this consortium, the US partner introduced program elements that were gradually integrated into the Mexican state TB program.