Objective:To describe the baseline data and epidemiological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains circulating in Jiangsu Province,and to provide policy makers with recommendations for prevention and control of tuberculosis. Methods:Sputum smear-positive tuberculosis patients reported in June and July 2010 were continuously recruited. Diagnosis was further confirmed by sputum culture. Proportional method which was recommended by WHO/IUATLD was used to determine the sensitivity to the four first-line anti- tuberculosis drugs,and we further analyzed the drug resistant spectrum and possible risk factors. Results:Of all the 260 patients,there were 216(83.1%) new cases and 44(16.9%)previously treated ones,with the male-to-female ratio of 2.25∶1. Drug resistant test indicated that 186 (71.5%)strains were sensitive to all the four anti-tuberculosis drugs, including rifampin,isoniazid,ethambutol,streptomycin,while 74 strains were resistant to at least one drug. The total resistance proportion was 28.5% and the MDR (at least resistant to INH and RFP at the same time)proportion was 34(13.1%). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that treatment history was significantly associated with MDR. Compared with the new cases,previously treated ones had 3.40 times risk of MDR,with the adjusted OR of 3.40 (95% CI:1.42-8.13). Conclusion:The high prevalence of drug resistance has been a major challenge for TB control. Prevention and control of drug-resistant tuberculosis should emphasize on the implementation of the DOTS (direct observed therapy) to increase the treatment compliance and treatment success rate and reduce the occurrence of drug resistance tuberculosis.