Epidemiological and clinical features of 85 patients with tuberculosis at a teaching hospital in Italy

Abstract number: P1555

Bonadio M., Vetrano U., Garzelli C., Virgone E., Carneglia L.

Background: A previous similar study performed at the same institution (Hospital of Pisa) during the 1996–2000 period showed a TB incidence ranging from 8.5 to 6.8 (N/100.000), a rate of extrapulmonary TB of 24.5% and a 3.8% frequency of isolates resistant to 2 drugs.

Aim of the study and methods: In order to describe current epidemiologic and clinical features of patients with TB identified in the hospital of Pisa (Italy), a retrospective study of all cases of TB notified to the Local Public Health Service during January 2004 – December 2006 was performed. The diagnosis of TB was made following the criteria of the WHO.

Results: A total of 85 patients (M 39, F 46) affected by TB were identified. Diagnosis was microbiologically proved in 81 patients. Thirty-five patients were immigrants (mostly from East-Europe and South-East Asia). The incidence of TB (N/100.000) was 9.5, 8.0 and 7.0 in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. 66.5% of patiens had pulmonary TB; 33.5% of patients had extrapulmonary or mixed TB.

Extrapulmonary TB was more frequent in immigrant patients (42.8%) than in italian ones (22%). Five patients were presenting advanced HIV infection. Microscopic examination for acid fast bacilli in sputum or bronchial secretion resulted negative in 67.3% of colture proved pulmonary TB.

7% of the isolated strains of M.tubercolosis were resistant to 2 drugs.

Conclusions: The incidence of TB observed in the present study seems to be similar to that observed at our institution during the 1996–2000 period. The rate of extrapulmonary TB shows a trend to increase expecially in immigrant patients.

The isolation rate of resistant strains to drugs of M. tuberculosis in our geographical area shows an increasing trend.