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J O Bauer

Publications and source records attributed to J O Bauer.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Resistant tuberculosis in Denmark].

INTRODUCTION: Increased rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) has been reported from countries close to Denmark. We evaluated the incidence of drug resistance in Denmark in order to determine the magnitude of the problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Susceptibility testing was performed in isolates from 85.4% of all notified patients during 1991-1998. Epidemiological information was retrieved from the mandatory notification forms. RESULTS: Total drug resistance remained largely constant, although a minor increase was observed in 1997-1998. Monoresistance was observed in 7.3% of the isolates. Among 3.6% polyresistant isolates, resistance to isoniazid and streptomycin accounted for 2.8%, whereas MDR accounted for 0.5%. The MDR strains displayed different restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns, and no matches were identified in the international MDR database. Drug resistance in untreated Danes and foreigners were 5.9% and 14.6%, respectively. Among Danes and foreigners with previous TB, 6.2% and 22.7% had drug resistance, respectively. Increased drug resistance was found among untreated Danes aged 25-54 years mainly due to a single isoniazid- and streptomycin-resistant RFLP-cluster. Among all patients with isoniazid- and streptomycin-resistance, 77.0% had clustered strains. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, although drug resistance among untreated Danes was close to the rate estimated in good national programmes, close monitoring is needed in future years, as active transmission of isoniazid- and streptomycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

[Tuberculosis in Denmark 1972-1996].

The present study is based on notified cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the National tbc. register 1972-1996. A decline in Tb incidence was seen from 1972 and until the mid-1980's. Subsequently the trend has reversed due to an increasing number of TB cases in foreigners. In 1996, 60% of all cases of TB in Denmark were found in foreigners reflecting the rising number of refugees and their families arriving in Denmark from highly endemic areas, mainly Somalia. Among native Danes the TB incidence fell from 14 per 100,000 in 1972 to 4 per 100,000 in the 1980's and stabilized at this very low level. The unchanged incidence in Danes covers a falling incidence in the older and a rising incidence in the younger and middle-aged adult population, mainly in the capital. Approximately half of the cases occur in high-risk groups. The TB-epidemic is close to elimination in the indigenous Danish population, but the disease is maintained at a low level probably due to increased patient and doctor delay and resulting microepidemics primarily in high-risk populations.

Adolescent↗

[DNA-fingerprinting and tuberculosis].

DNA-fingerprinting or RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) is a molecular biological technique which allows differentiation between tuberculosis strains. The technique is based on the occurrence of repetitive elements in the mycobacterial genome and is a powerful tool in epidemiological studies. DNA-fingerprinting is also of value in tracking the spread of infection in patients with tuberculosis. The latter is illustrated in two case stories.

Adult↗