Epidemiological and clinical study of tuberculosis in the Kolin district, Czechoslovakia.

A research study was in progress in a Czech district (100,000 inhabitants) in the years 1961-1972 with the aim to analyze the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis and the impact and effectiveness of control measures. Most of the conclusions are still valid and have their role in present tuberculosis programmes in Czechoslovakia or in other countries, too. There were recommended sensitive epidemiological indices and methods by which the actual situation should be characterized, changed or monitored: direct smear-positive cases and their importance, reevaluation of BCG vaccination and revaccination, as well as of case-finding and economic aspects of chemotherapy. The study built up fundamental prerequisites of a modern approach to tuberculosis control.