Intensive x-ray survey for tuberculosis in a rural county

In an intensive fast-tempo tuberculosis case-finding survey in a rural county 34,345 residents (73 per cent of all persons 15 years of age or over) had miniature x-ray films of the chest taken. In 256 instances, x-ray findings were consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis. Sixty-eight persons were ultimately reported as having active tuberculosis (one case of active tuberculosis for every 505 persons covered by the survey). Within one year, 57 of them had been hospitalized for treatment. Only four of the 68 cases had been known to the health department before the survey. The cost of the survey (80 cents per person surveyed and $444.58 per case of active tuberculosis) compares favorably with that of other surveys.