Abstract: ObjectiveTo understand the progress in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) research over the last 10 years through a bibliometric approach. MethodsLiteratures about MDR-TB（1999—2008） were searched from Web of Science citation database. The searching Results were analyzed concerning the article numbers and the frequency of citations by countries, institutes and authors, MDR-TB periodical distribution, and MDR-TB research subject distribution. ResultsOverall 1521 papers were found and distributed in 337 types of periodicals. The number of papers has increased apparently over the last five years. World Health Organization，USA，Belgium have played important roles in the MDR-TB research in the world. The MDR-TB research subjects mostly focused on infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, microbiology, pharmacy and so on. ConclusionsThe prevalence of MDR-TB has been a threat to global public health security. This problem has attracted more and more attention. As a MDR-TB high-burden country, China should improve the level of investment and research on MDR-TB.

Key words: tuberculosis,multidrug-resistant, bibliometrics, databases,bibliographic