Recorded presentation

Heather Tooker-Blue, BS, MS¹, Stephen Waring, DVM, PhD¹, Kristy Lillibridge, DVM¹, Lemuel Moye', MD, PhD¹, Larry D. Teeter, PhD², James M. Musser, MD, PhD², and Edward A. Graviss, PhD, MPH². (1) University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, 281-812-6868, htooker@sph.uth.tmc.edu, (2) Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza (209E), Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030

An increase in surveillance and treatment compliance has led to a decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases both nationwide and locally; however, Houston consistently has had more than twice the national TB incidence. The epidemiologic characteristics, medical record information, molecular analysis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, and the spatial distribution utilizing geographic information systems for all the TB cases in Houston and Harris County from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2000 were assimilated. The patients’ data were stratified, analyzed, and mapped by zip code to identify disparities in risk factors for defined areas.

The total number of TB patients included in the population-based analysis was 2119, which incorporated greater than 83% of all the TB patients identified in Houston and Harris County for the five year period. Clear geographic and temporal patterns emerged for different race, sex, and age populations. In addition, the demographics, clinical characteristics, TB risk factors, and molecular epidemiology revealed specific trends. While some zip codes had very high cumulative incidence of TB during the five-year period for multiple populations, other zip codes had a very high cumulative incidence for only specific populations and characteristics.

Investigating the epidemiologic, clinical, and molecular characteristics combined with the geographic distribution of TB patients provided a sentinel and detailed illustration of the TB distribution in Harris County, Texas. Focusing these areas with specific interventions that act in accordance with the cultural, ethnic, and social standards could have a major impact on the health for these communities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients in Harris County from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 200
• Characterize the incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients in Harris County based on epidemiologic, molecular, and geographic features associated with disease occurrence from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2000.
• Analyze the spatial distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients in Harris County by zip code of residence utilizing geographic information systems from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2000.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation