Effective treatment regimens of 9 months' duration are now available, and research continues in attempts to further shorten treatment. Fluorescence microscopy has made the examination of sputum smears faster, easier, and more accurate. Phage typing is a useful tool for studying the epidemiology of tuberculosis. Newer immunologic techniques offer promise of improved diagnostic tests, and rapid radiometric methods of identifying M. tuberculosis and testing for drug susceptibility are being developed. Progress has been less dramatic in developing countries.
Tuberculosis stubbornly persists as a major worldwide health problem.
Eradication of tuberculosis, although possibly attainable in technical terms, remains an elusive goal. Reference Koch R. Die Atiologic der Tuberkulose. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. Users should not rely on this HTML document, but are referred to the original MMWR paper copy for the official text, figures, and tables. Contact GPO for current prices.