Tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia: epidemiology and incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacterial species.

The epidemiology of mycobacterial infections was studied in a wide cross-section of the Jeddah population over 2 years (1987-1989). Saudis, non-Saudis and patients from a stable population attending National Guard King Khalid Hospital (NGKKH) were compared. The ratio of Saudi to non-Saudi was 1:2 and males accounted for 65% of the total. The incidence was highest among young adults although the peak varied slightly between Saudi and non-Saudi patients. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis was also preponderant among young adults, particularly females. Variants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were investigated for the first time in Saudi Arabia. African and Asian variants were isolated from both Saudi and non-Saudi patients, the former being more numerous. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, particularly lymphadenopathy, accounted for a large proportion of mycobacterial infections, 59% at NGKKH. Mycobacterial species other than M. tuberculosis were fully identified and accounted for 9% of the isolates, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei being the two most prevalent.