Incidence of tuberculosis and HIV and progression of silicosis and lung function impairment among former Basotho gold miners.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV incidence, mortality, and the progression of silicosis and lung function impairment are described over a 1-year period in migrant ex-gold miners from Lesotho.

Methods: Seven hundred seventy-nine Basotho miners were followed for 1 year starting 18 months after lay-off from a South African gold mine in 1998. At baseline and follow-up, they underwent a respiratory symptom interview, physical examination, HIV test, chest radiograph, and spirometry.

The burden of silicosis, pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD among former Basotho goldminers.

Background: The burden of silicosis, pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD is described in 624 South African gold miners 18 months after cessation of work.

Methods: This was a prevalence study. Questionnaires were administered, and spirometry, chest radiography, tuberculosis investigations, and urine HIV antibody assays were performed.

High prevalence of tuberculosis in previously treated patients, Cape Town, South Africa.

The tuberculosis (TB) notification rate is high and increasing in 2 communities in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2002, we conducted a prevalence survey among adults > or = 15 years of age to determine the TB prevalence rate; 15% of households in these communities were randomly sampled. All persons living in sampled households were eligible for chest radiography and sputum examination.