Survey on tuberculosis reports in a major Italian region

A survey was carried out on all cases of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis reported in the Latium region of Italy during 1986, in order to characterize them from bacteriological and epidemiological points of view. A total of 497 TB notifications were investigated; reliable medical records were traced and consulted for 458 of these. Seventy-six percent of cases was classified as respiratory tb, 21.8% non-respiratory tb and 2% both. Ninety-two percent of all cases had been hospitalized for long periods (mean: 69 days/median: 63 days for cases of respiratory TB and mean: 40/median 29 days for non-respiratory patients). Contrary to the definition of a reportable case in Italy, evidence of Mycobacteria on direct or cultural examination was present in only half of all reported patients. Twenty-seven percent of respiratory cases and 33.3% of non-respiratory had a previous diagnosis of TB mentioned on the clinical record. High daily alcohol intake is reported more frequently among TB patients with respect to the general population, while drug abusers, immigrants and HIV seropositives represent a very low proportion. Delays in notification have been observed and current notification system is evaluated.