{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02914642609299098, 'fraction_numerical': 0.011103400416377515, 'mean_word_length': 4.5675675675675675, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
[Multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Iceland--case series and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND
Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a growing health problem in the world. Treatment outcomes are poorer, duration longer and costs higher. We report three cases of MDR-TB diagnosed in Iceland in a six year period, 2003-8.


CASE DESCRIPTIONS
The first case was a 23-year-old immigrant with a prior history of latent TB infection treated with isoniazid. He was admitted two years later with peritoneal MDR-TB. He was treated for 18 months and improved. The second case was a 23-year-old immigrant diagnosed with pulmonary MDR-TB after having dropped out of treatment in his country of origin. Clinical and microbiological response was achieved and two years of treatment were planned. The third case involved a 27-year-old asymptomatic woman diagnosed with MDR-TB on contact tracing, because of her brother's MDR-TB. 18 months of treatment were planned.


CONCLUSIONS
Clustering of cases of MDR-TB in the last six years, accounting for almost 5% of all Icelandic TB cases in the period, suggests that an increase in incidence might be seen in Iceland in coming years. The infection poses a health risk to the patients and the general public as well as a financial burden on the health care system. Emphasis should be put on rapid diagnosis and correct treatment, together with appropriate immigration screening and contact tracing.