scholarly journals Guidelines on controlling latent tuberculosis infection to support tuberculosis elimination

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-36
Author(s):  
P Godoy

Objectives: Latent TB infection (LTBI) affects 25% of the world’s population. As long as this reservoir exists, the elimination of TB will not be feasible. The Assembly of the World Health Organization adopted the “Global End TB” strategy for the elimination of TB in 2014. The objective of this review is to present strategies for risk groups that are candidates for the detection and treatment of LTBI. Material and method: There is sufficient evidence of screening in: immunocompromised people (HIV-infected, biological therapies, alternative renal therapy, organ transplantation), recent immigrants, inmates in prison, people injecting drugs and homeless people, and workers from at-risk settings. Tests to diagnose LTBI include tuberculin skin test (TST) and gamma release assay interferon (IGRA). There is no reference test and the choice of one or the other will depend on logistical considerations, such as avoiding injection (TST) or not needing a second visit (IGRA). Treatment of LTBI is based on the use of isoniazide and rifampicin in short period of 3 or 4 months, using associations of rifampicin and isoniazide or rifampicin alone. Discussion: Given the estimated high prevalence of LTBI, renewed efforts are required to reduce the number of people with LTBI that includes a registration and monitoring system to observer progress, increased testing, and the use of short treatment guidelines.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Villa ◽  
Maurizio Ferrarese ◽  
Giovanni Sotgiu ◽  
Paola Francesca Castellotti ◽  
Laura Saderi ◽  
...  

To tackle the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, in 2014 the World Health Organization launched the End TB Strategy, which includes action to prevent latent TB infection (LTBI) reactivation. Available preventive treatments (PT) are based on either isoniazid (INH) alone or rifampicin (RIF)-containing regimens. This study aims to assess and compare PT completion rates, the occurrence of adverse events, and the time of dropout among those receiving INH-alone or RIF-containing regimens at Villa Marelli Institute, Milan, Italy, covering the period from 1992 to 2018. A total of 19,670 subjects, belonging to various risk groups—mainly young (median age of 29 years), foreign-born (73.3%), and males (58.8%)—with presumed LTBI were prescribed PT (79.3% INH-alone and 20.7% RIF-containing regimens). The treatment completion rate was 79.4% on average, with higher rates among those receiving RIF-containing regimens (85.6%) compared to those that were prescribed INH-alone (77.8%) (p < 0.0001). Notably, some of the high-risk groups for progression of LTBI were more likely to complete PT from RIF-containing regimens. These groups included recent TB contact (89.9%, p < 0.0001), healthcare workers (93.5%, p < 0.0001), and homeless people (76.6%, p < 0.0001). Irrespectively of the chosen PT regimen, most of the dropouts occurred between the start of the treatment and the first follow-up visit (14.3%, 15.2% for those on INH-alone vs. 11.1% for those on RIF-containing regimens). Further shortening of the PT regimen is therefore an aim to ensure adherence, even though it might need further efforts to enhance the patient’s attitude towards starting and carrying out PT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Soedarsono Soedarsono

Tuberculosis (TB) still becomes a public health crisis. Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) becomes a concern as the increasing DR-TB cases in countries with high TB burden. The 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) guideline recommended a combination of TB treatment consisting of 2 months of intensive phase with isoniazid (H), rifampisin (R), pyrazinamid (Z), and ethambutol (E), followed by 4 months of continuation phase with HR daily. WHO has updated DR-TB treatment guidelines several times. In 2016, WHO recommended shorter regimen and individual regimen based on certain conditions. The most updated 2020 WHO guideline recommended the short regimen consisting of all oral drugs as well as changes in the grouping of medicines used in DR-TB regimens in longer/individual regimens. Bedaquiline, delamanid, pretomanid, and sutezolid are new drugs which have been studied for their uses as anti-TB drugs (ATD). Bedaquilin and delamanid, which have passed phase 3 trials, have been approved and recommended by WHO for DR-TB treatment. Repurposed drugs have been used for DR-TB treatment during the time of evaluation of drugs list and regimens for DR-TB treatment. Fluoroquinolones, clofazimine, linezolid, carbapenem, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid are repurposed drugs. TB and DR-TB management will be updated at any time, based on the latest findings in studies, to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of current treatments. Prevention of active TB disease by the treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is also a critical component of the end TB strategy by WHO. Therefore, the development of new drugs for the LTBI treatment is also needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 2491-2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. ARROYAVE ◽  
Y. KEYNAN ◽  
L. LÓPEZ ◽  
D. MARIN ◽  
M. P. ARBELÁEZ ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe main aim was to measure the incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and identify risk factors associated with infection. In addition, we determined the number needed to screen (NNS) to identify LTBI and active tuberculosis. We followed 129 prisoners for 2 years following a negative two-step tuberculin skin test (TST). The cumulative incidence of TST conversion over 2 years was 29·5% (38/129), among the new TST converters, nine developed active TB. Among persons with no evidence of LTBI, the NNS to identify a LTBI case was 3·4 and an active TB case was 14·3. The adjusted risk factors for LTBI conversion were incarceration in prison number 1, being formerly incarcerated, and overweight. In conclusion, prisoners have higher risk of LTBI acquisition compared with high-risk groups, such as HIV-infected individuals and children for whom LTBI testing should be performed according to World Health Organization guidance. The high conversion rate is associated with high incidence of active TB disease, and therefore we recommend mandatory LTBI screening at the time of prison entry. Individuals with a negative TST at the time of entry to prison are at high risk of acquiring infection, and should therefore be followed in order to detect convertors and offer LTBI treatment. This approach has a very low NNS for each identified case, and it can be utilized to decrease development of active TB disease and transmission.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Kadima ◽  
Pascal Lutumba ◽  
Michel Kaswa ◽  
Vivi Maketa ◽  
Junior Matangila ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) End Tuberculosis Strategy calls for a 90% reduction in tuberculosis (TB) deaths and an 80% reduction in the incidence rate between 2015 and 2035. The 2018 WHO guidelines recognize the need for high-burden countries to implement outreach and treatment for the most vulnerable patients with latent TB infection (LTBI) in addition to treating patients with the active disease. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is among the countries bearing the highest burden of TB. However, additional data on LTBI is required for effective policy and strategy against the disease. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of LTBI in HIV-infected adults in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Methods Over two hundred HIV-infected adult residents of Kinshasa were screened using both TUBERTEST®, which is a tuberculin skin test (TST), and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus® (QFT-Plus), which is an interferon gamma release assay. LTBI was screened using TST, QFT-Plus, and a combination of the two tests. The agreement between TST and QFT-Plus was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. Results A total of 248 HIV-infected persons were enrolled in the study. Seventy-six patients (30.7% IC 95%: 25.2-36.7) had a positive TST result. Sixty-four (25.8% IC 95%: 20.7-31.6) had a positive QFT-Plus test result. The Kappa coefficient between TST and QFT-Plus was 0.225. Conclusions The prevalence of LTBI among HIV positive adults in Kinshasa was high considering either the positive TST or the positive QFT-Plus. However, the two tests had poor agreement.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Robert J. Barth

Abstract “Posttraumatic” headaches claims are controversial because they are subjective reports often provided in the complex of litigation, and the underlying pathogenesis is not defined. This article reviews principles and scientific considerations in the AMAGuides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) that should be noted by evaluators who examine such cases. Some examples in the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, may seem to imply that mild head trauma can cause permanent impairment due to headache. The author examines scientific findings that present obstacles to claiming that concussion or mild traumatic brain injury is a cause of permanent headache. The World Health Organization, for example, found a favorable prognosis for posttraumatic headache, and complete recovery over a short period of time was the norm. Other studies have highlighted the lack of a dose-response correlation between trauma and prolonged headache complaints, both in terms of the frequency and the severity of trauma. On the one hand, scientific studies have failed to support the hypothesis of a causative relationship between trauma and permanent or prolonged headaches; on the other hand, non–trauma-related factors are strongly associated with complaints of prolonged headache.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyuan Jiang ◽  
Ruijuan Yang ◽  
Maobin Kuang ◽  
Meng Yu ◽  
Mingchun Zhong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) has been recommended as an alternative indicator of insulin resistance. However, the association between TyG-BMI and pre-diabetes remains to be elucidated. Methods More than 100,000 subjects with normal glucose at baseline received follow-up. The main outcome event of concern was pre-diabetes defined according to the diagnostic criteria recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2018 and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the role of TyG-BMI in identifying people at high risk of pre-diabetes. Results At a mean observation period of 3.1 years, the incidence of pre-diabetes in the cohort was 3.70 and 12.31% according to the WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria for pre-diabetes, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TyG-BMI was independently positively correlated with pre-diabetes, and there was a special population dependence phenomenon. Among them, non-obese people, women and people under 50 years old had a significantly higher risk of TyG-BMI-related pre-diabetes (P-interaction< 0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that a higher TyG-BMI significantly increases an individual’s risk of pre-diabetes, and this risk is significantly higher in women, non-obese individuals, and individuals younger than 50 years of age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e25-e25
Author(s):  
Rojin Chegini ◽  
Alireza Bolurian ◽  
Zahra Mojtahedi ◽  
Masoud Hafizi

In December 2019, cases of pneumonia with an unknown pathogen were reporting in Wuhan city, China. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. The most frequent site of involvement is the respiratory system. The most common symptoms include cough, fatigue and fever. In some cases, neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal complications can lead to death. Inflammatory cytokines can play a major role in pathogen damage. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and its severe complications, it is critical to identify the high-risk groups. Since this disease has a rapid transmission, following the instructions announced by the WHO, prevention is vital, especially in people with risk factors for disease complications and mortality. According to the latest reports by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), older age and having some medical conditions such as smoking, obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, cancer, solid organ transplant, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and sickle cell anemia in younger adults are known disease severity risk factor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Zellweger ◽  

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem and is the leading cause of death linked to a single pathogen, ranking above human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).1 Clinically, TB has been categorised as active disease (patients who are generally symptomatic and may be infectious if pulmonary involvement is present) and latent infection (asymptomatic and not infectious, but at variable risk for progression to active TB disease). It is increasingly being recognised that latent TB infection (LTBI) reflects diverse responses to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and may lead to heterogeneous clinical outcomes. In an expert interview, Jean-Pierre Zellweger discusses the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on the management of LTBI.


2011 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 935-940
Author(s):  
Buge Oz ◽  
Melike Pekmezci ◽  
Reza Dashti ◽  
Kutlay Karaman ◽  
Cengiz Kuday ◽  
...  

Abstract Anaplastic meningiomas that resemble sarcomas often reveal clues to their meningothelial differentiation or develop in a plausible setting that confirms their meningothelial origin. Malignant mesenchymal neoplasms without obvious evidence of meningothelial differentiation or origin are more likely to be true primary or metastatic sarcomas. Because of their clinical and biological differences, it is important to distinguish anaplastic meningioma from a sarcoma. We present a 67-year-old woman with multiple meningiomas, who developed a high-grade spindle cell tumor 6 months after the resection of a World Health Organization grade I meningioma. It was not clear whether this tumor represented a malignant transformation of meningioma or a primary sarcoma. Malignant transformation of a meningioma is exceptional within this short period and a coexisting sarcoma and meningioma are equally uncommon. Even though these malignant neoplasms are rare in general, they appear to be more prevalent in patients with multiple meningiomas including those with neurofibromatosis type 2.


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