[Development of tuberculosis in Germany--a comparison between former West and East Germany]

The development of tuberculosis in both parts of Germany between 1950 and 1990 is compared. From 1950-1965 morbidity and mortality were significantly greater in the former GDR than in the FRG. Figures have somewhat increased in the FRG since 1965; a breakdown according to indigenous and alien population shows that the development of the disease among Germans has been approximately the same in both parts of Germany. For the last ten years the proportion of cases of acute infectious tuberculosis has remained almost unchanged in both the GDR and the FRG. A comparison of the development of infant tuberculosis does not disclose any influence exercised by BCT vaccination on the epidemiology.