[Current epidemiology of tuberculosis in Germany]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global infectious disease, posing a relevant public health challenge in Germany.
• Despite global efforts, TB control requires ongoing attention, particularly in industrialized nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of tuberculosis epidemiology in Germany.
• To emphasize drug resistance patterns and identify predominantly affected population groups.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of surveillance data from the German TB notification system.
• Examination of TB case numbers, drug resistance, patient origin (country of birth, nationality), and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• TB case numbers in Germany have stagnated since 2009, reversing a previous decline.
• The proportion of foreign-born patients has exceeded 50%, indicating a demographic shift in TB cases.
• Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) increased to 3.4% in 2013, higher than in many comparable European countries, with elevated rates among patients from former Soviet Union countries.
• Treatment success rate was 79%, falling short of the WHO target of 85%.

Conclusions:

• Stagnating TB case numbers and increasing MDR-TB highlight the need for sustained and enhanced tuberculosis control strategies in Germany.
• Focused interventions are crucial for the most affected populations, particularly foreign-born individuals.
• Addressing drug resistance and improving treatment outcomes are key priorities for TB control in Germany.