Applied epidemiology and logic in tuberculosis control

Collins, T.F.; Collins, T.F

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Applied epidemiology and logic in tuberculosis control

Collins, T.F.

South African Medical Journal 59(16): 566-569

1981

ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574

PMID: 7221763

Document Number: 170658

The epidemiology of tuberculosis is reviewed, with particular reference to the risk of tuberculosis disease after infection with the tubewrcle bacillus. It is concluded that suppressive or sterilizing chemotherapy for infected but otherwise healthy individuals in certain high-risk groups is indicated, whatever the risk of infection and the theoretical risk of reinfection; and that radiological examination of symptomatic persons will defect many potential sources of infection, whereas patients with microscopically positive sputum have infected many of their contacts before diagnosis. Poor nutrition is considered to be of importance in the epidemiology of tuberculosis.