title: Tuberculosis in Mexico and the USA, Comparison of Trends Over Time 1990-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim was to compare tuberculosis trends in Mexico and United States and to evaluate Mexican diagnostic methods and contact investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective comparative study of tuberculosis cases and incidence rates between both countries (1990-2010). Diagnostic methods and contact investigations were also evaluated for Mexico. Estimates were obtained from official websites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Mexico, no clear trend was found over time for cases. Pulmonary (PTB) and all forms of tuberculosis (AFTB) incidence decreased 2.0% annually. There was a negative correlation between the mean contacts examined per case and AFTB incidence (r(2)=-0.44, p=0.01) with a 33% reduction in AFTB incidence. In United States, PTB and AFTB cases have been decreasing 6.0% and 5.6% annually, respectively. The incidence decreased 7.3% and 6.8%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of tuberculosis in Mexico is decreasing slightly over time at 2% annually. In the United States, cases and incidence rates have been decreasing at a higher rate (5% to 7% annually). The inverse association between number of contacts examined per state and incidence rates in Mexico underscore the importance of reinforcing and improving contact investigations with the likely translation of a decrease of TB incidence at a higher rate.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enseñanza e Investigación, Hospital Mónica Pretelini Sáenz, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hernández-Garduño
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Micobacterias, Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Damián
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enseñanza e Investigación, Hospital Mónica Pretelini Sáenz, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garduño-Alanís
authors.affiliation: Programa de la salud del adulto y Micobacteriosis, Región Sanitaria VIII Costa Norte, Instituto de Salud del Estado de Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayón-Garibaldo
keywords: Incidence; Trend; Tuberculosis