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Tuberculosis diseases continue to be high in Germany
Tuberculosis is a very serious condition that can easily be fatal if left untreated. The annual report of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) clearly shows that the number of new cases in Germany in 2015 remained at a relatively high level. On the occasion of the World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the RKI informs in the current Epidemiological Bulletin about the challenges of a modern tuberculosis control
"The number of tuberculosis cases in Germany in 2016 is largely unchanged compared to 2015, but at a similar high level as last year about ten years ago," said the RKI. In 2015, a total of 5,852 illnesses were reported to the RKI, compared to 5,915 in the previous year. Here, modern tuberculosis control faces enormous challenges and a high level of attention to this disease remains important, reports the President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar H. Wieler.
Tuberculosis control continues to be a significant medical challenge in Germany. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com) Monitor genome of the pathogens continuously
Among other things, the RKI scientists report in the Epidemiological Bulletin on the requirements and perspectives of integrating "genome sequence data" of the pathogens into tuberculosis monitoring. Because new approaches such as a systematic molecular investigation of the genome of the pathogens are indispensable for the continuous monitoring of infectious diseases in the future, says RKI President Wieler. In the case of tuberculosis, according to the experts, the exciter genome data can also provide important information on the epidemiological explanation of the transmission event and thus contribute to interrupting the transmission process.
Tuberculosis well treatable until today
According to the RKI, tuberculosis is generally relatively easy to treat and cure. The corresponding treatment guidelines are presented by the German Central Committee for the Control of Tuberculosis in the Epidemiological Bulletin. Also soon own guidelines for children and adolescents will be available. Proper therapy, however, requires in each case a determination of the resistance profile of the bacteria. For this purpose, "comprehensive resistance tests are carried out in the National Reference Center for Mycobacteria at the Research Center Borstel and in special laboratories", reports the RKI.
Multidrug-resistant pathogens endanger treatment options
In recent years, the tuberculosis pathogens have increasingly developed resistance to antibiotics, which could significantly limit the hitherto good treatment options in the future. According to the RKI Annual Report 2015, the proportion of multidrug-resistant strains in Germany rose again slightly compared with 2014, to 3.3 percent at the end of the year. The multidrug-resistant pathogens are most commonly found in patients born in the successor states of the former Soviet Union, reports the RKI. In this group, one out of every four tuberculosis patients has multiple resistance.
Active search for tuberculosis infections required
According to the RKI experts, an active case search is "essential to find cases of disease and new infections and prevent them from spreading." Therefore, the health authorities also identify any close contact persons of patients with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis and initiate further investigation or preventive therapies as needed , In addition, it is legally required to examine certain groups of the population, including asylum seekers, when they are admitted to a community facility, according to the RKI ... A negative finding, however, does not exclude a later illness of tuberculosis. An important aspect of tuberculosis control is therefore the early detection of the disease. "Doctors should always consider tuberculosis in people with appropriate symptoms or special risks for a disease," said the RKI. The risk groups include, for example, homeless people or people from regions with a high tuberculosis rate. (Fp)