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Updated: May 31, 2026

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
[Tuberculosis in Switzerland]
Otto Brändli1, Jean Pierre Zellweger
1Kompetenzzentrum Tuberkulose, Lungenliga Schweiz, Bern.
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently a rare disease in Switzerland (2.8 per 100'000 native Swiss), but is still more prevalent in some population groups especially among migrants. After more than a century on the decrease, from 2007 to 2009 the TB cases have increased from 478 to 556 for unknown reasons. The occurrence of multidrug-resistant forms (1.4 % MDR- TB) and the frequently late diagnosis represent challenges for the medical profession and the public health authorities. The Swiss Lung Associations are engaged with contact examinations and therapy of TB cases and support a "TB Manual" with guidelines and a TB Hotline.
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