[Reports of tuberculosis of the respiratory organs in Stuttgart 1986-1988--an epidemiologic study]

This retrospective study is based on 427 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 153 smear positive, 101 culture positive, and 173 without bacteriologic confirmation, children and cases of pleurisy excluded, all notified by the Public Health Department of Stuttgart in 1986-1988. Results are given by sex, age, nationality, cause of diagnosis, diagnosing institution, extent of disease, profession. These results are compared with those of former studies covering the periods 1964-1970 and 1980-1985. There is a remarkable statistically significant and continuous increase in the rates of passive case-finding. Unfortunately the rate of far advanced cases has significantly increased from 1964-1970 to 1986-1988, due to the smaller contribution of active case-finding, particularly the cessation of mass miniature X-ray examinations. Passive case-finding yields more advanced cases than active case-finding. But in spite of this fact there is no plea for intensifying active case-finding. As far advanced cases are more dangerous than others to their contacts the shift to passive case-finding has a negative impact on the general decline of tuberculosis.