Tuberculosis in Thai prisons: magnitude, transmission and drug susceptibility.

Abstract

The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in these prisons was high. A substantial proportion were acquired in the prisons. Isoniazid (INH) resistance was common, and theoretically precludes the use of INH-preventive therapy for contacts of these cases. Active case finding should be done and directly observed therapy implemented to prevent the spread of tuberculosis into the community.