Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genotype and Case Notification Rates, Rural Vietnam, 2003–2006

Abstract

Tuberculosis case notification rates (CNRs) for young adults in Vietnam are increasing. To determine whether this finding could reflect emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing genotype, we studied all new sputum smear–positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered for treatment in 3 rural districts in Vietnam during 2003–2006. Beijing strain infections were more frequent in younger patients (15–24 years of age, 53%) than in older patients (31%; p65 years of age, respectively (p<0.001). These findings suggest that young adults may be responsible for introducing Beijing strains into rural Vietnam.

Keywords

• Tuberculosis and other mycobacteria
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• bacteria
• genotype
• trends
• Vietnam