Current state of tuberculosis epidemiology in the Czech Republic

Czech version

Authors: V. Príkazský ^1,3; M. Havelková ¹; V. Bencko ²; K. Kotrbová ³
Authors‘ workplace: Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha Ředitel: MUDr. Jaroslav Volf, Ph. D. ¹; Ústav hygieny a epidemiologie 1. LF UK, VFN, Praha Vedoucí: prof. MUDr. Vladimír Bencko, DrSc. ²; Katedra veřejného zdravotnictví, Fakulta zdravotně sociální Jihočeské Univerzity, České Budějovice Vedoucí: doc. MUDr. Vladimír Vurm, CSc. ³
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2006; 86(10): 549-557
Category: Reviews

Overview

Tuberculosis is monitored in the Czech Republic through the Tuberculosis register, based on physicians’ reporting, and through the Information database of bacillary tuberculosis based on laboratory reporting. Distribution of tuberculosis in the Czech Republic is uneven in age and sex as well as geographically. Generally the highest incidence rates are in the elderly (particularly for females) however men in working age are considerably affected. After several years of stagnation we have observed a steadily decreasing incidence over the past five years together with an increase in the proportion of foreigners among TB cases. The proportion of foreigners has risen to 15 % over the past decade. MDR TB is at a very low level in the indigenous population, oscillating around 1 %. TB incidence in CR is at a favourable level comparable with Western European figures. Although the total incidence is decreasing, we are not as successful in reducing sputum smear positive TB incidence, which presents a significant source for further cases.

Key words:
tuberculosis, epidemiology, Czech Republic, trends