We studied the epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Vladimir Region, Russia, in 2012. Most cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) were caused by transmission of drug-resistant strains, and >33% were in patients referred for testing after mass radiographic screening. Early diagnosis of drug resistance is essential for preventing transmission of MDR TB.
Keywords: MDR TB; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Russia; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; epidemiology; multidrug resistance; primary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; transmission; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.