[Frequency of drug resistance on M. tuberculosis in hospitalized treated patients in East Germany]. / Resistenzhäufigkeit von M. tuberculosis bei stationär behandelten Patienten in Ostdeutschland.

The frequency of primary drug resistance in patients treated in hospital because of tuberculosis of the lung in 1988 was 1.4% (10 patients), there is a low decrease compared with years before. Also the frequency of acquired drug resistance is with 14.9% lower compared to 1983 (20%). The resistance rate (acquired resistance) to RMP has been nearly the same since 1980, in about 3%. In patients from foreign countries the rate of resistance was higher than in native patients. In 18% resistance was found to one or more drugs at the beginning of the therapy.

External quality control of mycobacterial laboratories in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and in the former German Democratic Republic.

Simulated samples of sputa respectively negative sputa artificially contaminated with mycobacteria were sent to mycobacteriological laboratories in CSFR and the former GDR for the purpose of conducting an external quality control of the process employed in bacteriological examination. The average percentage of positive results corresponding with the reference material came to 75.7% in CSFR and 92.0% in former GDR. Methodological differences influencing the results of external laboratory control in both countries are discussed. Systematic external controls are recommended as an invaluable aid for improvement of the bacteriological demonstration of mycobacterial infections.

[Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis--a clinically relevant pathogen of bronchopulmonary diseases?]. / Branhamella (Moraxella) catarrhalis--Klinisch relevanter Erreger bronchopulmonaler Erkrankungen?

Branhamella catarrhalis, previously named Neisseria catarrhalis was known as a saprophytic inhabitant of the human respiratory tract. The importance as a facultative pathogen has increased during the last years. This study demonstrates the presence of B. catarrhalis in sputa and bronchial secretions of adults as well as children with bronchopulmonary diseases in a part of Berlin. From March 1989 to July 1990 in routine examinations in the bacteriological laboratory of a lung hospital 46 isolates (from 32 patients) of B. catarrhalis were identified. B. catarrhalis was found in pure culture and in mixed culture usually in association with Haemophilus sp. 75% were positive for beta-lactamase. B. catarrhalis is oxidase- and catalase positive and does not produce acidification of sugars. The strains reduce nitrate and hydrolyze tributyrin. The tributyrin hydrolysis proved to be useful for differentiation Branhamella from Neisseria.

[Clinical findings in patients with lung diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in former East Germany and Hungary]. / Klinische Befunde bei Patienten mit Lungenerkrankungen durch nichttuberkulöse Mykobakterien in der ehemaligen DDR und in Ungarn.

The importance of lung diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria is increased. Clinical findings in 54 patients of the former GDR and 110 patients from Hungary were investigated. Most of the patients were men in average age of 55 years. More than 80% of the patients had an exposition and disposition, for instance, pre-existing pulmonary damage, such as healed tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. X-ray findings are presented and discussed. Signs and symptoms of disease are very similar to the pulmonary tuberculosis.

[Identification of mycobacteria under routine clinical conditions]. / Artbestimmung von Mykobakterien unter Routinebedingungen.

A simplified system for identification of mycobacteria in routine is presented and discussed. By this way costs for staff and material can be reduced.

[The value and need for a diagnostic animal experiment within the framework of tuberculosis diagnosis]. / Leistungsfähigkeit und Notwendigkeit des diagnostischen Tierversuches im Rahmen der Tuberkulose-Diagnostik.

The comparison of the results of culture and animal test for finding of mycobacteria in selected specimens, obtained in two laboratories between 1981 and 1988 shows a superiority of the animal test. Taking into account adequate literature recommendations are given as well for a possible improvement of culture methods as for the indication of animal tests.

[Lung diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in East Germany and Hungary]. / Lungenerkrankungen durch nichttuberkulöse Mykobakterien in der DDR und in Ungarn.

Despite the decrease of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis also between 1982 and 1986 an increase in nontuberculous mycobacteriosis can be seen especially in the GDR and also in Hungary. In 1986 the ratio of recognized lung diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria to all newly diagnosed bacillary cases was 4.1% in the GDR and 2.2% in Hungary. In Hungary, M. xenopi was the most important potential pathogenic species of nontuberculous mycobacteria during the whole period, followed by M. kansasii. In the GDR at the beginning most cases of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis were caused by M. kansasii later, M. xenopi was most frequent. Most of the patients with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis were men older than 50 years of age.

[The identification of mycobacteria during 22 years]. / Ergebnisse der Identifizierung von Mykobakterien während 22 Jahren.

During 22 years 14,711 strains of mycobacteria were identified. Most of them were isolated from humans, a smaller part came from animals and the environment. The constancy respectively the variability of the features were analyzed for the most frequently isolated species: M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. gordonae, M. terrae-complex, M. xenopi, M. fortuitum and M. chelonae. Based on the results a further rationalisation of species identification in routine work would be possible.

[Detection of mycobacteria in tissue in urogenital tuberculosis]. / Der Nachweis von Mykobakterien aus Gewben bei Urogenitaltuberkulose.

121 tissue specimens of the urogenital systems (66 from the kidney, 39 from the epididymis and testis, 8 from the prostate, 4 from the bladder and 4 from the female genital tract) were examined by microscopy, culture and animal experiment on the presence of mycobacteria. In 37 of these specimens (30.6%) mycobacteria were demonstrated, 10 of that only by microscopy and in 27 cases by culture and/or animal experiment. Up to 20 weeks after onset of treatment mycobacteria were demonstrated from the kidney tissue of treated patients by the diagnostic methods mentioned above. After this time mycobacteria never could be demonstrated. There was no correlation between the histological findings and the mycobacteriological investigations. The investigation of tissue specimens on the presence of mycobacteria also from other organs of the urogenital tract is suitable method of the bacteriological proof of tuberculosis, especially in the absence or positive bacteriological findings from the urine or accessory gland secretion for the estimation of species and resistance of these bacteria.

[Method for improving the diagnostic animal study in the detection of mycobacterial]. / Methode zur Verbesserung des diagnostischen Tierversuches zum Nachweis von Mykobakterien.

In 5,400 animal tests of different specimens for detection of mycobacteria the spleen of the guinea pigs was checked for mycobacteria by microscopy and culture also after macroscopic negative results. On this way the number of positive results of animal tests could be increased by 22.6%.

Analysis of a co-operative study in finding of mycobacteria.

Comparative examinations in finding of mycobacteria carried out in two laboratories of different countries show a superiority of one lab only in one of two series of specimens. That indicates that the results are dependent not only on methods used but also on other factors as the nature of the specimens and the conditions of transport. A critical evaluation is necessary.

[Incidence of primary and secondary resistance of M. tuberculosis in East Germany in 1983 in hospitalized patients]. / Häufigkeit primärer und sekundärer Resistenz von M. tuberculosis in der DDR bei im Jahre 1983 stationär behandelten Patienten.

The frequency of primary drug resistance in patients treated in hospital because of tuberculosis of the lung in 1983 was 2.3% (21 patients). Among them there were 5 patients (0.6%) with resistance to both INH and SM and 1 patient with a fourfold resistance. The frequency of secondary drug resistance was 20% (29 patients), among them a good third showed resistance to two or more drugs. Comparing to 1980 a decrease by half of patients treated repeatedly and also of the number of patients with secondary resistance can be recognized. Both the low share of primary drug resistance and the decrease of patients with repeated treatment indicate an effective therapy of tuberculosis in the GDR during the last years.

[Incidence and significance of lung diseases caused by tuberculosis bacteria and atypical mycobacteria in East Germany]. / Häufigkeit und Bedeutung von Lungenkrankheiten durch Tuberkelbakterien und atypische Mykobakterien in der DDR.

The number of new cases of pulmonary mycobacterial diseases registered in the GDR was 1,574 in the year 1982, 1,525 in 1983, and 1,404, as a preliminary result, in 1984. That is an incidence rate per 100,000 population of 9.4, 9.1, and 8.4, respectively. In 1982 Mycobacterium bovis was isolated in 4.6% of all newly diagnosed pulmonary cases, and in 1983 and 1984 a certain decrease became evident, namely to 3.5 and 3.1%, respectively. The number of patients with recognized diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria was 20 in 1982 and 33 in 1983, which equals 1.3 and 2.2%, respectively, of the newly diagnosed bacillary cases. In causing a mycobacteriosis M. kansasii is the most important potential pathogenic species of nontuberculous mycobacteria, followed by M. xenopi. Nine tenths of the patients with mycobacteriosis were men. About eighty per cent of the male patients were older than 50 years. The absolute number of newly diagnosed lung diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in the GDR was nearly the same during the last years: there were 20 to 33 patients per year.

[Comparison of various methods for the identification of pneumococci based on optochin sensitivity]. / Vergleich verschiedener Methoden zur Identifizierung von Pneumokokken mittels Optochinempfindlichkeit.

The sensitivity against optochin of 491 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae respectively alpha-haemolytic Streptococci was tested in optochin-plate-method and in the diffusion-test. Discs impregnated and used in wet condition and dry discs prepared in one of the participating laboratories were equal in their efficiency. The differentiation of Streptococcus pneumoniae and alpha-haemolytic Streptococci is possible by the disc-diffusion method using the following limit of inhibition zone. Streptococcus pneumoniae diameter of inhibition zone greater than 15 mm alpha-haemolytic Streptococci diameter of inhibition zone 0-15 mm The industrial production of optochin-discs can be recommended.

[Effectiveness of a fast culture method for mycobacteria as a therapeutic control and within the scope of diagnosis]. / Leistungsfähigkeit der Schnellanzüchtung von Mykobakterien als Therapiekontrolle und im Rahmen der Diagnostik.

A rapid method for culturing mycobacteria using a liquid medium and a rotating incubator was applied in routine examinations parallel with the conventional methods. As therapy control the rapid method appeared unsuitable, for the cultures are checked by microscopy and during therapy there is a period in which mycobacteria are visible but not multiplying. Within the diagnostics results are available somewhat earlier but the efficiency of the rapid culture is less than with the method in general use.

[Quality control of the culture of mycobacteria in Czechoslovakia and East Germany]. / Untersuchungen zur Qualitätskontrolle des kulturellen Nachweises von Mykobakterien in der CSR und der DDR.

Be comparative examinations in culture of mycobacteria, done in different laboratories of two countries an insight view was given on correspondence of results in the field of tuberculosis bacteriology. Experiences of that study can be used for routinely carried out quality control.

[Significant changes in the pathologic-anatomical manifestations of tuberculosis]. / Aktuelle Ergebnisse auf dem Gebiet der Resistenzbestimmung von Mykobakterien.

In a study about the frequency of primary and secondary drug resistance in tuberculosis all patients treated in hospital in 1980 were included. Primary drug resistance, that means resistance in patients not yet previously treated, was detected in 2.1% of patients excreting M. tuberculosis. Among them there were 0.6% with resistance to both INH and SM. The frequency of secondary resistance--against 1 to 5 drugs--was 17.7%. comparing the dates with the frequency of resistance in the sixties a remarkable decrease can be recognized both in primary and in secondary drug resistance. That indicates progress in tuberculosis control.