Tuberculosis in the Czech Republic

Overview

Background.
Incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Czech Republic (CR) during the year 2000 was evaluated onthe basis of newly detected cases as well the restriction of known TB sources by antituberculosis treatment. Datafrom compulsory reported TB cases in the TB register for the year 2000 were used as well as data from the analysisof treatment in cohorts of patients reported quarterly in 1999 and evaluated 12 months later.Methods and Results. 1442 cases of new diseases and TB relapses were reported in 2000 (14.1/100 00). 1244cases (12.1/100 000) were TB of the respiratory system, 198 cases (2.0/100 000) belonged to the extrarespiratoryTB. 61.9 % of cases were bacteriologically verified TB of the respiratory system. In comparison with the year 1999,the number of TB cases was lower by 11.7 %, respectively by 9,3 % in TB of the respiratory system. The positivetrend in TB incidence recorded in CR since 1998 has continued. From 1442 cases of the TB, 916 were males (63.5 %)and 526 females (36.5 %). Majority of patients was older than 65 years. 143 (9.9 %) of TB cases were patients bornextra CR („foreigners"), namely coming from Ukraine (41), Vietnam (16), and Romania (14). 74 patients died oftuberculosis,mostly those older than 65 years. The youngest was the 24-year-oldUkrainian and a 38 year old homelessperson, the citizen of CR. The highest incidence of TB was in West Bohemia, in Prague and in North Moravia; thelowest incidence was in South Moravia and in South Bohemia. TB was identified because of patient's troubles(68.0 %), in the risk groups (13.3 %), and by examination of contact persons (4.7 %). Other mycobacteriosis thanTB was identified in 92 patients. The treatment was evaluated in 606 persons with the pulmonary TB, which wasbacteriologically verified; analysis was done in cohorts of patients reported quarterly in 1999. 70.1 to 77.5 % ofpatients in individual cohorts were successfully treated, in 3 patients the treatment failed and 9 patients interrupledthe treatment. Remaining 25 % of patients either died before or during the treatment. The high mortality rate resultedfrom the high age and other diseases in some of the patients.Conclusions. WHO includes CR between countries with low TB incidence. Within the stabile population of CRthe continuous decrease of TB incidence should continue, unless some unfavourable effects occur.

Key words:
incidence of tuberculosis, tuberculosis notification, tuberculosis mortality, tuberculosis casefinding,treatment of tuberculosis.