EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTIONS

The incidence of tuberculosis in the developed countries has recently started to rise again due to increased migration, a higher rate of dir ect transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and co-infection with HIV. The impact of the latter on the pathogenesis and presentation of tuberculosis is summarised, Important measures to prevent the further spread of tuberculosis include rapid diagnosis, prompt isolation of in fectious patients, adequate control of treatment compliance, as well a s surveillance of local resistance patterns, Disease due to the Mycoba cterium avium complex is more frequent among HIV-infected patients in Central Europe than tuberculosis, and its development in the presence of immune deficiency seems to be mainly the result of a new infection nith this ubiquitous microorganism rather than the reactivation of a p reviously acquired infection, It has a significant impact on mortality , The diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium complex infection requires a hi gh degree of conjecture because most of the symptoms are non-specific, such as fever, night sweats, weight loss and anaemia, Promptly initia ted treatment significantly prolongs the survival time of those affect ed by comparison with untreated patients.