Tuberculosis in the Czech Republic in 2004

SUMMARY In 2004 the number of newly notified cases of tuberculosis, pulmonary TB, definite TB and microscopically positive TB continued to decline in the Czech Republic. The most significant reductions were achieved in the number of definite and microscopically positive pulmonary TB (by 11.5% and 11.3% respectively). The total number of cases of pulmonary TB was 10.3 per 100,000 inhabitants and the number of definite pulmonary TB cases less than 5.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The declining trend in the number of notified cases of tuberculosis, which started in 1998, was confirmed in 2004. Effective antitubercular therapy contributed to the liquidation of known sources of tuberculosis infection. Mycobacterial resistance to antituberculotics was lower than 6% and multiple drug resistance lower than 2%, which is proof of the good quality of TB treatment provided by specialized TB and respiratory diseases medical facilities. Future TB control measures should focus on active search for TB cases among high-risk groups.