Mutations in the rpoB gene of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Eastern Poland

Despite the recent progress in global control, tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in most developing countries. According to the World Health Organization 8 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) occur each year resulting in 3 million deaths (Hsing-Yu et al., 2001, Perandin et al., 2005). In response to the alarming statistics and trends the World Health Organization declared tuberculosis to be a global, public health emergency (Bartfai et al., 2001, Morgan et al., 2005, Prasad, 2005).