Fourteen-year trend of tuberculosis dynamics in the northwest of Turkey.

Background: The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in different countries as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) vary from 23/100,000 and less in industrialized countries, 191/100,000 in Africa and 237/100,000 in South East Asia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamics of TB in the northwest of Turkey, between 1988 and 2001.

Methods: All pulmonary TB cases reported to the National Tuberculosis Center by local TB dispensaries during 1988-2001 were analyzed.