title: Recent experience in the control and management of tuberculosis in a mental handicap hospital.
abstract: Sixteen cases of tuberculosis (14 in inmates, only one of whom was female) occurred in a mental handicap hospital of some 400 inmates during the period 1973-85. This represents an annual incidence of 269 per 100,000, substantially higher than that in the surrounding community. In 1980, 29% of inmates had Grade 3 or 4 positive Heaf tests. Widespread chemoprophylaxis was successfully undertaken in 1980/81, the only problem encountered being interaction of isoniazid with carbamazepine. One Down's syndrome patient had recurrent disease, and a second developed disease despite chemoprophylaxis. Immunological investigation of a small number of Down's syndrome patients with tuberculosis showed no consistent defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, East Birmingham Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiggins
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hearn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*