Setting: Endemic area of North Moravia, Czech Republic.
Objective: Evaluate the incidence of human disease due to Mycobacterium kansasii. The follow-up of some bacteriological and clinical features.
Design: A retrospective analysis of M. kansasii patients.
Results: M. kansasii was isolated from the sputum, tissue and other specimens obtained from 650 persons during the period 1984-89. In only 471 of them was this mycobacterium deemed to be the causative agent, predominantly of lung disease. The most typical radiographic finding in these patients was lung infiltration and/or thin-walled cavity.
Conclusion: As in previous years the highest incidence of disease remains in an endemic area of North Moravia. The effects of treatment in follow-up patients were influenced not only by the antituberculosis regimen but also by a high frequency of associated diseases. Sputum conversion within 30 days was not affected by the presence or absence of a cavity. Authors consider water to be the source of infection.