[Current epidemiological and clinical aspects of tuberculosis: A study in the Hospital of Pisa].
OBJECTIVE
To describe epidemiological and clinical features of tuberculosis (tbc) cases identified recently in the Pisa area (Tuscany, Italy).


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of all cases of tbc notified to the Public Health Service in Pisa during January 1996-December 1998. The diagnosis of tbc was made following the criteria of the Public Health Ministry.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight patients affected by tbc were identified. Diagnosis was microbiologically proven (positive culture for M. tuberculosis) in 42 patients. Sixty-nine patients had pulmonary tbc, 14 extrapulmonary and 5 mixed tbc. Mean age was 56.4 years (range 16-87 years). Nineteen patients were extra European Community citizens. The incidence of tbc (N./100,000) was 8.4 in 1996, 10 in 1997 and 3.2 in 1998. In 5.7% of the cases tbc was associated with advanced HIV infection. The chest X-ray showed pleural effusion in 12 patients and cavitation in 26 patients. Fever was not present in 36.4% of the patients at the moment of diagnosis. 12% of the isolated strains of M. tuberculosis were in vitro multidrug-resistant.


CONCLUSIONS
The data presented showed an important rate of tbc in Pisa, similar to the incidence of tbc reported by other studies carried out on a national scale. We have yet to understand if the decreased rate observed in 1998 represents a new trend. The isolation rate of multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis in Pisa seems higher than the rates reported in other geographical areas. Therefore monitoring of M. tuberculosis susceptibility to antimicrobial agents is necessary.
Insegnamento delle Malattie Infettive, Università, Pisa.
M
M
Bonadio
P
P
Spitaleri
C
C
Gigli
M
M
Meini
A
A
Vigna
L
L
Carneglia
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology