标题：Tuberculosis in Australia: bacteriologically confirmed cases and drug resistance, 1998 to 1999: Report of the Australian Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory Network
摘要：The Australian Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory Network collected and analysed laboratory data on newdiagnoses of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in 1998 and 1999. Totals of 700 and 760 cases wereidentified, representing annual reporting rates of 3.7 and 4.0 cases of laboratory confirmed tuberculosis (TB) per100,000 population in the years 1998 and 1999 respectively. Australia's TB reporting rates have varied little in thepast decade, ranging from 3.7 to 4.1 cases per 100,000 population. Reporting rates vary between States, reflectingdifferences in the distribution of persons in 'high-risk' categories for TB. The male:female ratio decreased to almost1:1. The median age for males with culture-confirmed TB is in the 45-49 age group; for females, the median is in the35-39 age group. Pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 63 per cent of cases whereas disease of lymph nodesaccounted for 21 per cent of all cases. Children have the lowest rates of culture-confirmed TB; males in the older agegroups have the highest rates. Microscopy was positive for 60 per cent of culture-positive sputa, and forapproximately 45 per cent of bronchoscopy specimens. The frequency of multi-drug resistance (less than 1%) wasslightly lower than in previous years
关键词：Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; laboratory network; tuberculosis; TB; drug resistance
