Incidence and nature of human tuberculosis due to bovine tubercle bacilli in South-East England: 1977-1987.

A total of 201 new cases of tuberculosis due to bovine tubercle bacilli was confirmed in South-East England between 1977 and 1987 inclusive. This represents about 1% of all cases of tuberculosis in this region. Most cases occurred amongst older individuals of indigenous white British origin, although some younger patients of Southern European and Indian subcontinent ethnic origin were also diagnosed. The lung was the most frequent site of disease, followed by the genito-urinary tract. In view of the known risk of transmission of disease from man to cattle via the respiratory and urinary tracts, continued surveillance of this relatively uncommon form of tuberculosis is still indicated.