[Imported tuberculosis: an emerging disease in industrialised countries].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of imported tuberculosis (TB) in Barcelona during 1999 and 2000.


METHODS
Epidemiological surveillance questionnaire.


RESULTS
During 1999 and 2000, a 7.9% decrease in TB cases was observed among the native population in Barcelona, whereas cases among immigrants grew up to 47.2%. In 2000, 449 TB cases were detected among the native population (incidence, 29.5/100,000) and 121 among immigrants (incidence, 555.9/100,000). Three outbreaks were identified, involving one Indian community (11 cases), two Dominican families (4 cases) and one city school (2 cases) whose index case was a cooperant. Isolated strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the first, second and third outbreak were multisensitive, multidrug-resistant and isoniazid-resistant, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The emergence of imported TB cases in Barcelona over 1999 and 2000 suggests that current preventive guidelines must be reviewed.
Vallès
Xavier
X
Institut Municipal de Salut Pública. Servicio de Epidemiología. Programa de Tuberculosis de Barcelona. Unidad de Investigación en Tuberculosis de Barcelona. Spain.
Sánchez
Francesca
F
Pañella
Helena
H
García De Olalla
Patricia
P
Jansà
Josep Maria
JM
Caylà
Joan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019049:Developed Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*
Tuberculosis importada: una enfermedad emergente en países industrializados.