[A tuberculosis epidemic among four relatives who live in the neighborhood of index case].

A tuberculosis epidemic occurred among 4 relatives who live in the neighborhood of the index case. A thirty-three year old female was admitted to a hospital in July 1994 with high fever and cervical lymphoadenopathy. Culture examination of her sputum was positive for acid-fast bacilli and her chest X-ray showed diffuse small nodules. During the following sixteen months, five new patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were found among the relatives who lived in the neighborhood of the index case. The contact examination was first limited in her own family members, however, after detection of the second case, the examination was extended to other relatives living nearby, and another four patients were found. The results of PPD skin test of ten contact children showed strongly positive reaction, and chemoprophylaxis was indicated. Contacts examination is very important especially for patients with highly infectious tuberculosis.