title: Reversal of the decline in the incidence of tuberculosis in the Austrian Tyrol and Vorarlberg in 1989.
abstract: The incidence of tuberculosis in the Austrian Tyrol and Vorarlberg has been declining over decades. In 1989 a reversal in this trend was observed. The number of initial isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the Federal Public Health Laboratory in Innsbruck increased by 2.2% in 1990 (137 strains), as compared with 1989 (134 strains). The number of cases reported to the health authorities increased by 7.6%. This increase has continued in 1991, with 162 initial isolates registered. It seems that the increase is connected with the presence of greater numbers of ethnic groups from countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis. It is unlikely that the increase is due to additional cases of tuberculosis resulting from the HIV epidemic. Nevertheless, it is recommended that patients with tuberculosis undergo HIV antibody testing. A comparison of the results of animal tests and cultures for demonstrating the presence of mycobacteria showed that the culture procedure is at least equally efficient.
authors.affiliation: Bundesstaatliche bakeriologisch-serologische Untersuchungsanstalt, Innsbruck.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fille
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Allerberger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zangerle
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dierich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012307:Risk Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine