Pulmonary tuberculosis in residents of lodging houses, night shelters and common hostels in Glasgow: a 5-year prospective survey.

Despite a high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the vagrant population in large cities, this group is reluctant to accept chest radiograph screening and outpatient chemotherapy. In order to improve the response rate, inducements were given for chest radiographic examinations between 1978 and 1982 to residents in lodging houses, night shelters, common hostels in Glasgow. The response rate improved and 133 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were found. Of these, 63% had positive sputum for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The clinical details were available in 105 cases; 40 residents completed adequate chemotherapy and there were 15 deaths. Six deaths could be attributed directly or indirectly to pulmonary tuberculosis. Procedures for case tracing should be improved if this reservoir of pulmonary tuberculosis is to be reduced.