Tuberculosis in Peru: current status

Abstract

Each year, 220 000 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are diagnosed in the Americas, and more than 50 000 persons die every year as a consequence of this disease. One of the most important and fascinating aspects with respect to TB is that it is a one hundred per cent curable and preventable disease; however, it has become the most important transmissible disease for human beings. In Peru, a thorough understanding of the tuberculosis epidemics allows us to efficaciously apply the available tools for TB control, and the usefulness of interventions is increased, having achieved considerable progress made in TB prevention and control. In 1992, more than 55,000 cases of TB were notified, and this figure has had a 32.7% reduction for 2007. The goal for year 2011 is to achieve a 50% reduction in the number of cases of TB. The diagnostic capacity for multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) has also been improved and increased. Nevertheless, MDR-TB, XDR-TB, TB/HIV-AIDS, stigma, discrimination, and complicated technical, socioeconomic, and cultural interventions mean a great challenge for us to fulfill. 58% of all cases of TB, 82% of MDR-TB and 93% of XDR-TB cases have been reported by Lima and Callao. The first case of XDR-TB was reported in 1999, and up to August 2008, the cumulative case toll is 186, and 85% of them are concentrated in la Victoria, downtown Lima, San Martin de Porres, San Juan de Lurigancho, Ate, Santa Anita, and El Agustino districts.