scholarly journals Experiences with latent TB cascade of care strengthening for household contacts in Calgary, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-131
Author(s):  
N. Bedingfield ◽  
L. Barss ◽  
O. Oxlade ◽  
D. Menzies ◽  
D. Fisher

SETTING: Identification, assessment, and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI), collectively known as the LTBI cascade of care, is critical for TB prevention.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research, conducted within the ACT4 trial, was to assess and strengthen the LTBI cascade of care for household contacts at Calgary TB Services, a clinic serving a predominately foreign-born population in Western Canada.DESIGN: Baseline assessment consisted of a retrospective LTBI cascade analysis of 32 contact investigations, and questionnaires administered to patients and health care workers. Four solutions were implemented in response to identified gaps. Solution impact was measured for 6 months using descriptive statistics.RESULTS: Pre-implementation, 56% of household contacts initiated treatment. Most contacts were lost to care because the tuberculin skin test (TST) was not initiated, or physicians did not recommend treatment. Evening clinics, a patient education pamphlet, a nursing workshop, and treatment recommendation guidelines were implemented. Post-implementation, losses due to LTBI treatment non-recommendation were reduced; however, the overall proportion of household contacts initiating treatment did not increase.CONCLUSION: Close engagement between researchers and TB programmes can reduce losses in the LTBI cascade. To see sustained improvement in overall outcomes, long-term engagement and data collection for ongoing problem-solving are required.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Yanes-Lane ◽  
Anete Trajman ◽  
Mayara Lisboa Bastos ◽  
Olivia Oxlade ◽  
Chantal Valiquette ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Less than 19% of those needing tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment complete it, due to losses in several steps of the cascade of care for latent TB infection. A cluster randomized trial of a programmatic public health intervention to improve management of latent TB infection in household contacts was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. Interventions included contact registry, initial and in-service training, and a TB booklet. We conducted a follow-up study starting one month after the conclusion of this trial, to measure the effect of interventions implemented, and to identify remaining barriers and facilitators to latent TB infection treatment, from different perspectives.METHODS: In two health clinics in Rio de Janeiro, that received the interventions in the intervention trial, data for the latent TB infection cascade of care for household contacts was collected over a five-month period. The number of household contacts initiating treatment per 100 TB index-patients was compared with cascade data obtained before and during the intervention trial. Semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were administered to healthcare workers, household contacts and TB index-patients regarding knowledge and perceptions about TB and study interventions. RESULTS: In this follow-up study, 184 household contacts per 100 TB index-patients were identified which was 65 fewer per 100 TB index-patients, (95% CI -115, -15) but the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment was sustained (difference 2, 95% CI -8,5). A total of 31 TB index-patients, 22 household contacts and 19 health care workers were interviewed. Among TB index-patients, 61% said all their household contacts had been tested for latent TB infection. All health care workers said it was very important to test household contacts, and 95% mentioned that possessing correct knowledge on the benefits of latent TB infection treatment was the main facilitator to enable them to recommend this treatment.CONCLUSION: In this follow-up study, we observed a persistent effect of interventions to strengthen the latent TB infection cascade of care, on increasing the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Yanes Lane ◽  
Anete Trajman ◽  
Mayara Lisboa Bastos ◽  
Olivia Oxlade ◽  
Chantal Valiquette ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Less than 19% of those needing tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment complete it, due to losses in several steps of the cascade of care for latent TB infection. A cluster randomized trial of a programmatic public health intervention to improve management of latent TB infection in household contacts was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. Interventions included contact registry, initial and in-service training, and a TB booklet. We conducted a follow-up study starting one month after the conclusion of this trial, to measure the effect of interventions implemented, and to identify remaining barriers and facilitators to latent TB infection treatment, from different perspectives.METHODS: In two health clinics in Rio de Janeiro that received the interventions in the trial, data for the latent TB infection cascade of care for household contacts was collected over a five-month period. The number of household contacts initiating treatment per 100 index-TB patients was compared with the cascade of care data obtained before and during the intervention trial. Semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were administered to healthcare workers, household contacts and index-TB patients regarding knowledge and perceptions about TB and study interventions. RESULTS: In this follow-up study, 184 household contacts per 100 index-TB patients were identified. When compared to the intervention period, there were 65 fewer household contacts per 100 index-TB patients, (95% CI -115, -15) but the number starting latent TB infection treatment was sustained (difference 2, 95% CI -8,5). A total of 31 index-TB patients, 22 household contacts and 19 health care workers were interviewed. Among index-TB patients, 61% said all their household contacts had been tested for latent TB infection. All health care workers said it was very important to test household contacts, and 95% mentioned that possessing correct knowledge on the benefits of latent TB infection treatment was the main facilitator to enable them to recommend this treatment.CONCLUSION: In this follow-up study, we observed a sustained effect of interventions to strengthen the latent TB infection cascade of care on increasing the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Yanes Lane ◽  
Anete Trajman ◽  
Mayara Lisboa Bastos ◽  
Olivia Oxlade ◽  
Chantal Valiquette ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Less than 19% of those needing tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment complete it, due to losses in several steps of the cascade of care for latent TB infection. A cluster randomized trial of a programmatic public health intervention to improve management of latent TB infection in household contacts was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. Interventions included contact registry, initial and in-service training, and a TB booklet. We conducted a follow-up study starting one month after the conclusion of this trial, to measure the effect of interventions implemented, and to identify remaining barriers and facilitators to latent TB infection treatment, from different perspectives.METHODS: In two health clinics in Rio de Janeiro that received the interventions in the trial, data for the latent TB infection cascade of care for household contacts was collected over a five-month period. The number of household contacts initiating treatment per 100 index-TB patients was compared with the cascade of care data obtained before and during the intervention trial. Semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were administered to healthcare workers, household contacts and index-TB patients regarding knowledge and perceptions about TB and study interventions. RESULTS: In this follow-up study, 184 household contacts per 100 index-TB patients were identified. When compared to the intervention period, there were 65 fewer household contacts per 100 index-TB patients, (95% CI -115, -15) but the number starting latent TB infection treatment was sustained (difference 2, 95% CI -8,5). A total of 31 index-TB patients, 22 household contacts and 19 health care workers were interviewed. Among index-TB patients, 61% said all their household contacts had been tested for latent TB infection. All health care workers said it was very important to test household contacts, and 95% mentioned that possessing correct knowledge on the benefits of latent TB infection treatment was the main facilitator to enable them to recommend this treatment.CONCLUSION: In this follow-up study, we observed a sustained effect of interventions to strengthen the latent TB infection cascade of care on increasing the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Yanes-Lane ◽  
Anete Trajman ◽  
Mayara Lisboa Bastos ◽  
Olivia Oxlade ◽  
Chantal Valiquette ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Less than 19% of those needing tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment complete it, due to losses in several steps of the cascade of care for latent TB infection. A cluster randomized trial of a programmatic public health intervention to improve management of latent TB infection in household contacts was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. Interventions included contact registry, initial and in-service training, and a TB booklet. We conducted a follow-up study starting one month after the conclusion of this trial, to measure the effect of interventions implemented, and to identify remaining barriers and facilitators to latent TB infection treatment, from different perspectives. Methods In two health clinics in Rio de Janeiro that received the interventions in the trial, data for the latent TB infection cascade of care for household contacts was collected over a five-month period. The number of household contacts initiating treatment per 100 index-TB patients was compared with the cascade of care data obtained before and during the intervention trial. Semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were administered to healthcare workers, household contacts and index-TB patients regarding knowledge and perceptions about TB and study interventions. Results In this follow-up study, 184 household contacts per 100 index-TB patients were identified. When compared to the intervention period, there were 65 fewer household contacts per 100 index-TB patients, (95% CI -115, − 15) but the number starting latent TB infection treatment was sustained (difference -2, 95% CI -8,5). A total of 31 index-TB patients, 22 household contacts and 19 health care workers were interviewed. Among index-TB patients, 61% said all their household contacts had been tested for latent TB infection. All health care workers said it was very important to test household contacts, and 95% mentioned that possessing correct knowledge on the benefits of latent TB infection treatment was the main facilitator to enable them to recommend this treatment. Conclusion In this follow-up study, we observed a sustained effect of interventions to strengthen the latent TB infection cascade of care on increasing the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1000-1008
Author(s):  
M. L. Bastos ◽  
O. Oxlade ◽  
A. Benedetti ◽  
F. Fregonese ◽  
C. Valiquette ◽  
...  

SETTING: Two consecutive trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a public health approach to identify and correct problems in the care cascade for household contacts (HHCs) of TB patients in three Brazilian high TB incidence cities.METHODS: In the first trial, 12 clinics underwent standardised evaluation using questionnaires administered to TB patients, HHCs and healthcare workers, and analysis of the cascade of latent TB care among HHCs. Six clinics were then randomised to receive interventions to strengthen management of latent TB infection (LTBI), including in-service training provided by nurses, work process organisation and additional clinic-specific solutions. In the second trial, a similar but streamlined evaluation was conducted in two clinics, who then received initial and subsequent intensive in-service training provided by a physician.RESULTS: In the evaluation phase of both trials, many HHCs were identified, but few started LTBI treatment. After the intervention, the number of HHCs initiating treatment per 100 active TB patients increased by 10 (95%CI ‾11 to 30) in the first trial, and by 44 (95%CI 26 to 61) in the second trial.DISCUSSION: A public health approach with standardised evaluation, local decisions for improvements, followed by intensive initial and in-service training appears promising for improved LTBI management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui-lin Shi ◽  
Jian-ping Zhang ◽  
Ping Xu ◽  
Jin Li ◽  
Jie Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk for occupationally acquired Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis (TB) disease due to repeated exposure to workplace tubercle bacilli. To determine whether continual mycobacterial stimulation correlates with increased expression of inhibitory T cell receptors, here we compared PD-1 receptor expression on surfaces of circulating T cells between naïve (uninfected) HCWs and HCWs with latent TB infection (LTBI). Result Data collected from 133 medical workers who met study selection criteria were included in the final analysis. QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-​Tube (QFT-GIT) testing yielded positive results for 32 HCWs, for an overall LTBI rate of 24.1%. Multivariate analysis identified HCW length of service > 15 years as an independent risk factor for a positive QFT-GIT result. In addition, comparisons of blood T cell subgroup profiles between QFT- and QFT+ groups indicated QFT+ subjects possessed greater proportions of mature (TM), transitional memory (TTM) and effector memory (TEM) CD4+ T cell subgroups and lower proportions of naïve T cells (TN). Moreover, the QFT+ group percentage of CD8+ T cells with detectable surface PD-1 was significantly higher than the corresponding percentage for the QFT- group. Meanwhile, no statistical intergroup difference was observed in percentages of CD4+ T cells with detectible surface PD-1. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that upregulated PD-1 expression on circulating CD8+, but not CD4+ T cells, was associated with latent TB infection of HCWs. As compared to other hospitals, occupational TB infection risk in our hospital was substantially mitigated by implementation of multitiered infection control measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing-yuan Yang ◽  
Yu-tong Zhang ◽  
Jia-ni Xiao ◽  
Yu-shuo Liang ◽  
Ping Ji ◽  
...  

Long-term immunoreactivity to mycobacterial antigens in Bovis Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated population is not well investigated. Herein, 361 volunteer healthy donors (HDs) with neonatal BCG vaccination from Shanghai region (China) were enrolled. They were subdivided into ESAT-6/CFP10- (E6C10-) and ESAT-6/CFP10+ (E6C10+) groups based on gamma-interferon release assays (IGRAs). Three mycobacterial antigens, including Rv0934, Rv3006, and Rv3841, were subjected to the determination of immunoreactivity by ELISPOT assay. The immunoreactivities to three mycobacterial antigens were firstly compared among TB patients (N=39), E6C10+ HDs (N=78, 21.61% of HDs) and E6C10- HDs (N=283, 78.39% of HDs). It was revealed that Rv3006 was dominant upon M.tb infection, while Rv3841 was likely to be more responsive upon latent TB infection. In E6C10- population, the immunoreactivity to Rv3841 maintained along with aging, whereas those to Rv3006 and Rv0934 attenuated in E6C10- HDs older than 45 years old. Our study implies the shift of dominant antigens at different infection statuses, providing the clues for the selection of mycobacterial antigens in vaccine development and precision revaccination in the future.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa M. Barron ◽  
Kate M. Shaw ◽  
Kai McKeever Bullard ◽  
Mohammed K. Ali ◽  
Matthew J. Magee

ABSTRACTAimsWe aimed to determine the association between prediabetes and diabetes with latent TB using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Participants ≥20 years were eligible. Diabetes was defined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as no diabetes (≤5.6% [38 mmol/mol]), prediabetes (5.7-6.4% [3946mmol/mol]), and diabetes (≥6.5% [48 mmol/mol]) combined with self-reported diabetes. Latent TB infection was defined by the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT) test. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of latent TB infection by diabetes status were calculated using logistic regression and accounted for the stratified probability sample.ResultsDiabetes and QFT-GIT measurements were available for 4,958 (89.2%) included participants. Prevalence of diabetes was 11.4% (95%CI 9.8-13.0%) and 22.1% (95%CI 20.523.8%) had prediabetes. Prevalence of latent TB infection was 5.9% (95%CI 4.9-7.0%). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, history of active TB, and foreign born status, the odds of latent TB infection were greater among adults with diabetes (aOR 1.90, 95%CI 1.15-3.14) compared to those without diabetes. The odds of latent TB in adults with prediabetes (aOR 1.15, 95%CI 0.90-1.47) was similar to those without diabetes.ConclusionsDiabetes is associated with latent TB infection among adults in the United States, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Given diabetes increases the risk of active TB, patients with co-prevalent diabetes and latent TB may be targeted for latent TB treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1562-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary R Reichler ◽  
Awal Khan ◽  
Timothy R Sterling ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Bin Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Close contacts of persons with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have high rates of TB disease. Methods We prospectively enrolled TB patients and their close contacts at 9 US/Canadian sites. TB patients and contacts were interviewed to identify index patient, contact, and exposure risk factors for TB. Contacts were evaluated for latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB, and the effectiveness of LTBI treatment for preventing contact TB was examined. Results Among 4490 close contacts, multivariable risk factors for TB were age ≤5 years, US/Canadian birth, human immunodeficiency virus infection, skin test induration ≥10 mm, shared bedroom with an index patient, exposure to more than 1 index patient, and index patient weight loss (P < .05 for each). Of 1406 skin test–positive contacts, TB developed in 49 (9.8%) of 446 who did not initiate treatment, 8 (1.8%) of 443 who received partial treatment, and 1 (0.2%) of 517 who completed treatment (1951, 290, and 31 cases/100 000 person-years, respectively; P < .001). TB was diagnosed in 4.2% of US/Canadian-born compared with 2.3% of foreign-born contacts (P = .002), and TB rates for US/Canadian-born and foreign-born contacts who did not initiate treatment were 3592 and 811 per 100 000 person-years, respectively (P < .001). Conclusions Treatment for LTBI was highly effective in preventing TB among close contacts of infectious TB patients. Several index patient, contact, and exposure characteristics associated with increased risk of contact TB were identified. These findings help inform contact investigation, LTBI treatment, and other public health prevention efforts.


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