Association of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis with age, sex and season differs depending on the affected organ.

SETTING

Data from tuberculosis (TB) cases in Germany who are continuously monitored for the purposes of epidemiological surveillance and disease control.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the distribution of age, sex, place of birth, seasonality and recurrence of TB disease in different types of TB organ manifestations, with particular focus on lymph nodes and pleura.

DESIGN

All TB cases reported to the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo) in Berlin, Germany, between 2001 and 2012 were analysed.

RESULTS

Significant differences with regard to seasonal variation as well as age and sex distribution were seen when comparing pleural TB and TB of the extrathoracic lymph nodes, the predominant types of extra-pulmonary TB. EPTB was generally more prevalent in patients born outside Europe. In contrast to a previous study, an increase in recurrent TB was not observed in EPTB when compared to pulmonary TB cases.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in TB organ manifestation in association with season, sex and age suggest different pathophysiological mechanisms of disease development. Future studies might provide further insight into the mechanism of TB development and may therefore be of help in the prevention and treatment of EPTB.