Puentes de esperanza: un consorcio binacional para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la tuberculosis multifarmacorresistente en Baja California, México, y en California, Estados Unidos

Introduction: Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope) was created as a binational USA-Mexico program to diagnose, treat and prevent MDR-TB. The program also supports activities already underway in Baja California including laboratory diagnosis, training of outreach workers to support patient adherence and education of community professionals at all practice levels. Methods: The program funded by USAID has created a binational alliance of government and nongovernment providers and organizations, including the Mexican National TB Program. It receives referrals of MDR-TB cases from Baja California’s medical community; all cases are confirmed by culture and susceptibility testing. Partners confer and monitor patient clinical progress and outcomes regularly through the use of inexpensive telecommunication technology, and in-person case conferences. Individualized regimens with second line drugs are provided under strict directly observed therapy. RESUMEN