[A survey of atypical mycobacterial infection in China].

A survey of atypical mycobacterial infection in China was conducted in 1990. The infection rate of the country was 15.4%. Zhejing province had the highest rate (44.9%) and Xizang had the lowest (1.9%). The infection rate of the southern part of the country was higher than the northern part; the rate was higher in the worm areas than the cold areas. The rate increased with the age. The highest peak was on the sixty and then decreased. There was no significant difference of the infection rate in sex or minority races. The reagents used for the identification of atypical mycobacterium, the criteria for the positive reaction, the epidemiological trend of atypical mycobacterial infection and the further surveillance approaches in the country and been discussed.