The paper presents the epidemiological situation of TB in Poland in 1998. ... Among the total number of newly registered cases there were 7,501 cases (19.4 per 100,000) bacteriologically confirmed, of which 4,090 cases were sputum smear positive. The proportion of bacteriologically culture positive cases was 56.4% and of sputum smear positive -30.7% which is rather low, but similar to previous years. In view of sufficient network of laboratory services this low proportion of bacteriological confirmation of diagnosis may indicate low quality of bacteriological examinations. In 96.2% of cases the diagnosis was respiratory tuberculosis.
