The Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Drug Resistance among Haitians

Abstract

TUBERCULOSIS is a major health problem among Haitians who have recently entered southern Florida. Among those medically screened on arrival, we found that the prevalence of tuberculosis was 650 cases per 100,000 population. A high proportion of patients with culture-proved cases were excreting organisms resistant to isoniazid. Resistance to other antituberculosis drugs was uncommon. Because of these findings, we recommend that physicians who treat Haitian patients maintain a strong suspicion of tuberculosis. Furthermore, Haitian patients with tuberculosis should have drug-susceptibility tests performed routinely and should be treated initially with isoniazid and two or more additional drugs.MethodsHaitian Entrants Screened . . .