scholarly journals Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Completion while Shifting Prescription from Isoniazid-Only to Rifampicin-Containing Regimens: A Two-Decade Experience in Milan, Italy

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 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.


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.


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 ◽  
Vol 28 (151) ◽  
pp. 180106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias I. Gröschel ◽  
Martin van den Boom ◽  
Giovanni Battista Migliori ◽  
Masoud Dara

In 2017, in recognition of the challenges faced by Member States in managing childhood and adolescent tuberculosis (TB) at a country level, the WHO Regional Office for Europe held a Regional Consultation. In total, 35 countries participated in the consultations representing both high- and low-incidence Member States. Here, we provide an overview of the existing World Health Organization (WHO) documents and guidelines on childhood and adolescent TB and describe the outcomes of this regional meeting. National childhood and adolescent TB guidelines are available in 25% of Member States, while 33% reported that no such guidelines are at hand. In the majority of countries (83%), childhood and adolescent TB is part of the National Strategic Plan. The most pressing challenges in managing paediatric TB comprise the lack of adequate drug formulations, the difficult diagnosis, and treatment of presumed latent TB infection. Investments into childhood and adolescent TB need to be further advocated to achieve the End TB goals set by WHO to eliminate TB by 2030.


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.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chee Kin Lam ◽  
Kara McGinnis Pilote ◽  
Ashraful Haque ◽  
Joseph Burzynski ◽  
Christine Chuck ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Since January 2013, the New York City (NYC) Health Department Tuberculosis (TB) Program has offered persons diagnosed with latent TB infection (LTBI) the 3-month, once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP) treatment regimen. Patients on this treatment are monitored in-person under directly observed therapy (DOT). To address patient and provider barriers to in-person DOT, we piloted the use of a videoconferencing software app to remotely conduct synchronous DOT (video directly observed therapy; VDOT) for patients on 3HP. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the implementation of VDOT for patients on 3HP and to assess whether treatment completion for these patients increased when they were monitored using VDOT compared with that using the standard in-person DOT. METHODS Between February and October 2015, patients diagnosed with LTBI at any of the four NYC Health Department TB clinics who met eligibility criteria for treatment with 3HP under VDOT (V3HP) were followed until 16 weeks after treatment initiation, with treatment completion defined as ingestion of 11 doses within 16 weeks. Treatment completion of patients on V3HP was compared with that of patients on 3HP under clinic-based, in-person DOT who were part of a prior study in 2013. Furthermore, outcomes of video sessions with V3HP patients were collected and analyzed. RESULTS During the study period, 70% (50/71) of eligible patients were placed on V3HP. Treatment completion among V3HP patients was 88% (44/50) compared with 64.9% (196/302) among 3HP patients on clinic DOT (P<.001). A total of 360 video sessions were conducted for V3HP patients with a median of 8 (range: 1-11) sessions per patient and a median time of 4 (range: 1-59) minutes per session. Adherence issues (eg, >15 minutes late) during video sessions occurred 104 times. No major side effects were reported by V3HP patients. CONCLUSIONS The NYC TB program observed higher treatment completion with VDOT than that previously seen with clinic DOT among patients on 3HP. Expanding the use of VDOT may improve treatment completion and corresponding outcomes for patients with LTBI.


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 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivaporn Gatechompol ◽  
Weerakit Harnpariphan ◽  
Ruamthip Supanan ◽  
Gompol Suwanpimolkul ◽  
Jiratchaya Sophonphan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Prisons are considered as major reservoirs for tuberculosis. Preventive therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is an adjunctive strategy to control TB. However, LTBI data in Thai prisoners is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok. Participants were screened for active TB by questionnaire and chest X-ray. LTBI was evaluated by Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFTP) among subgroup. Participants with positive TST or QFTP were considered to have LTBI. Participants with LTBI were offered IPT. Results From August 2018–November 2019, 1002 participants were analyzed. All participants were male with a median age of 38 (IQR 32–50) years. LTBI identified by either TST/QFTP was present in 466 (46.5%) participants. TST was positive in 359 (36%) participants. In the subgroup of 294 participants who had both TST and QFTP results, 181/294 (61.6%) tested positive by QFTP. Agreement between TST and QFTP was 55.1% (Kappa = 0.17). The risk factors associated with LTBI were previous incarceration (aOR 1.53, 95%CI, 1.16–2.01, p = 0.002), history of prior active TB (aOR 3.02, 95%CI, 1.74–5.24, p < 0.001) and duration of incarceration ≥10 years (aOR 1.86, 95%CI, 1.24–2.79, p = 0.003). Majority of LTBI participants (82%) agreed to take IPT. Three hundred and 56 (93%) participants completed treatment whereas 27 (7%) participants discontinued IPT due to the side effects of INH. Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of IPT among Thai prisoners. LTBI prevalence in male prisoners in Thailand is high. LTBI screening and treatment should be implemented together with other preventive components.


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.


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