Increasing Latino adolescents' adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection: a controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the efficacy of coaching Latino adolescents with latent tuberculosis infection to adhere to isoniazid treatment. METHODS: Participants (n = 286) were randomly assigned to adherence coaching, attention control, or usual care groups. Adherence was measured via interviews and validated with urine assays. RESULTS: Coaching resulted in significant increases in adherence compared with attention and usual care groups. Bicultural adolescents were more likely to be adherent than those most or least acculturated. Age and risk behavior were negatively related to adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Coaching can increase Latino adolescents' adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection and should contribute to tuberculosis control for adolescents at high risk of contracting the disease.     

Predictors of adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in high-risk Latino adolescents: a behavioral epidemiological analysis

The objective was to test whether theoretical variables predict adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in high-risk Latino adolescents. 286 Latino adolescents, age 13-18 years, were recruited from 10 middle/high schools in San Diego County, San Diego, USA. Participants completed a baseline interview and up to 9 monthly interviews. The cumulative number of pills consumed in 9 months was regressed on 16 independent variables, entered hierarchically in seven blocks. The final model accounted for 25% of the variance in adherence to isoniazid (INH), F (16, 230)=4.69, p<0.001. Adherence counseling (+), age (-), grades (+), being bicultural (+), and risk behaviors (-) were significantly related to adherence. Learning theories presume that adherence to medical regimens requires social support and freedom from physical and social barriers. Results support these theories. Future studies should explore additional precepts in order to identify additional predictors and to maximize adherence to INH among Latino adolescents and other high-risk populations. Doing so should decrease the risk of active TB among high-risk racial/ethnic and foreign-born populations.     

母牛分枝杆菌预防性治疗潜伏性结核感染的效果评价

目的 评价注射用母牛分枝杆菌(微卡)预防性治疗潜伏性结核感染的效果.方法 对入学的大学新生进行PPD筛检和X线透视检查,确定潜伏性结核感染人群,采用整群随机抽样方法分为空白对照组、化学治疗组和微卡治疗组,每组中选择660例,经伦理委员会同意,追踪观察4年各组潜伏性结核感染人群结核病发病情况.结果 空白对照组结核病发病率3.48％ (23/660);化学治疗组结核病发病率为0.61％ (4/660);微卡治疗组结核病发病率0.30％(2/660).微卡治疗组与化学治疗组结核病发病率差异无统计学意义(x2=0.17,P＞ 0.05),但微卡治疗组与空白对照组(x2=16.30,P＜ 0.05)和化学治疗组与空白对照组(x2=12.25,P＞ 0.05)结核病发病率差异均有统计学意义.化学治疗组保护率为82.6％ (19/23);微卡治疗组保护率为91.3％ (21/23),微卡治疗组完成治疗率(93.48％)明显高于化学治疗组(59.7％)差异均有统计学意义(x2=210.12,P＜0.05).结论 微卡对潜伏性结核感染者有预防性治疗作用,降低潜伏性结核感染者的发病,其效果与化学治疗差异无统计学意义,但不良反应发生率明显低于化学治疗.     

Early therapy for latent tuberculosis infection

The risk of developing active tuberculosis is highest within the first 2 years of infection. Therefore, an intervention that targets persons with recent infection, such as identifying contacts of active cases, could be particularly effective as an epidemic control measure. A mathematical model of a tuberculosis epidemic is formulated and used to evaluate the strategy of targeting therapy to persons with recently acquired latent tuberculosis infection. The model is used to quantify the effectiveness of therapy for early latent tuberculosis infection in reducing the prevalence of active tuberculosis. The model is also used to demonstrate how effective therapy for early latent tuberculosis infection has to be to eliminate tuberculosis, when used in conjunction with therapy for active tuberculosis. Analysis of the model suggests that programs such as contact investigations, which identify and treat persons recently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, may have a substantial effect on controlling tuberculosis epidemics.     

肺结核病患者漏服药情况分析

目的了解肺结核病患者漏服药情况及其影响因素,为促进患者规范治疗提供支持。方法 根据地理位置和经济水平,从全国东部、中部及西部6省抽取12个县共计622例肺结核病患者,使用自编问卷对结核病患者漏服药情况及其影响因素进行询问调查,采用SPSS软件进行描述性分析以及因素分析。结果在治疗过程中有15.3%(95例)的患者发生过漏服药,漏服主要原因为忘记,其次分别为药物不良反应、工作忙、经济困难等。影响患者漏服药的主要因素为性别、患者对规范服药是否是治疗结核病的关键措施和按时服药与肺结核病治疗关系的看法,以及如果发生不良反应是否立即停药的态度。结论 采取多种应对药物不良反应的措施,同时因人制宜开展健康教育和健康促进活动,把握DOTS策略内涵,采用综合措施促进病人规则服药。     

Self-report INH adherence measures were reliable and valid in Latino adolescents with latent tuberculosis infection

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability and validity of 8-day and 30-day self-report measures of adherence to daily isoniazid (INH) for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). METHODS: Participants were 286 Latino adolescents (ages 13-18, 55.6% male) with LTBI recruited from 10 public middle and high schools in San Diego County. INH adherence was measured monthly for up to 9 months by interview and urine specimens at unannounced visits. Reliability and validity analyses were performed within 5 consecutive months. Reliability was assessed by correlating: (1) 8- and 30-day INH adherence measures within each month; and (2) each of the two adherence measures across months. Validity was assessed by correlating reported measures with biological assays within each month. RESULTS: Reliability tests yielded significant correlation coefficients (p < .05 to .001), both across measures (r = 0.71-0.93) and across time (r = 0.29-0.64 for 8-day recall; r = 0.32-0.69 for 30-day recall). Validity tests of both adherence measures were also significant (p < .05 to .001): 8-day recall (r(pb) = 0.52-0.72) and 30-day recall (r(pb) = 0.37-0.71). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that impromptu recall measures of INH adherence, combined with urine collection, are reliable and valid in Latino adolescents.     

The need for performance measures on testing for latent tuberculosis infection in primary care

BACKGROUND: The millions of people living in the United States with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) represent a reservoir of potentially active tuberculosis (TB) disease. When LTBI is left to activate, the consequences may include intense suffering, permanent disability, and high economic costs for patients, their caretakers, and society at large as TB spreads. The introduction of performance measures would improve accountability for quality of care and to reduce disparities, especially if the measures are group-targeted. PERFORMANCE MEASURES PROPOSAL: One National Quality Forum-endorsed measure (#0408) calculates the rate of TB screening in persons with HIV. Using the measure as a model, a set of performance measures is proposed. Denominators will include all persons in a given high-risk category, and numerators will include those persons from the denominators with LTBI test results. National guidelines informed appropriate exclusions. IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS: Challenges to implementation include lack of TB knowledge among primary care providers, potential for overwhelming already burdened schedules, and stigma associated with TB. However, the new measures, along with publication of educational resources, would raise clinicians' awareness. Short checklists and electronic supports would minimize time pressures. The routinization of screening would help reduce stigma. Finally, new federal funding and political will for electronic health records would facilitate data collection and impact assessment. CONCLUSIONS: TB sits at the crossroads of health and economic inequity and is a huge public health problem. The proposed performance measures will address a neglected secondary prevention opportunity and will be consistent with national priorities and health reform.     

我国学生结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染和预防治疗现状

目的了解上海市浦东新区大中专院校肺结核患者学生密切接触者结核潜隐感染(LTBI)的情况及影响因素。方法2017年1月1日—12月31日采用结核分枝杆菌特异性细胞免疫反应检测(酶联免疫法)(QFT)对479例肺结核患者学生密切接触者的LTBI情况进行检测,同时收集性别、年龄、户籍、接触时间等信息并进行单因素和多因素分析。结果479例学生密切接触者的平均年龄为(20.8±1.4)岁,QFT试验结果阳性47例。同寝室室友以及同楼层寝室且同班级的密切接触学生QFT阳性率(30.0%和12.5%)显著高于一般接触者(7.3%)。多因素分析结果显示,男生密切接触者发生LTBI的风险高于女生(OR=3.72,95%CI：1.06~12.99);累计接触时间≥80 h的学生密切接触者发生LTBI的风险高于累计接触时间＜40 h者(OR=3.33,95%CI：1.12~9.86)。结论LTBI与接触程度和接触时间显著相关,其中同寝室室友以及同楼层寝室且同班级的密切接触学生是LTBI的高风险人群,应当在现有学校结核病防控的基础上增加对密切接触者的早期LTBI筛查,并尽早向LTBI者提供预防性治疗等。     

Completion of screening for latent tuberculosis infection among immigrants

The objective of our study was to evaluate the sociodemographic factors associated with completion of screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among undocumented immigrants in Brescia, Italy. Screening for LTBI was offered to 649 immigrants; 213 (33%) immigrants completed the first step of screening; only 44% (55/124) of individuals with a positive tuberculin skin test result started treatment for LTBI. The univariate analysis showed that being unmarried, of Senegalese nationality and being interviewed by a health-care worker with the same native language as the immigrant were significantly associated with completion of screening for LTBI. In the multiple logistic regression, being interviewed in the native language of the health-care worker (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.8, P = 0.004) and being of Senegalese origin (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6, P = 0.0005) were independently associated with adherence to LTBI screening. Our results suggest that knowledge of the sociodemographic characteristics of immigrants, and the participation of health-care workers of the same cultural origin as the immigrant during the visits, can be an important tool to improve completion of screening for LTBI.     

潜伏性结核分枝杆菌感染动物模型

全球1/3的人口感染结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,MTB),其中大部分为潜伏感染［1］。研究人员对MTB潜伏感染的关注度日益增高。笔者针对当前研究MTB潜伏感染所使用的各种动物模型进行综述,分析包括小鼠、豚鼠、兔以及非人灵长类的动物模型优势和局限性,以期为研究人员正确选择合适的MTB潜伏感染动物模型以及深入开展潜伏感染的研究提供帮助。     

Socio-cultural influences on adherence to tuberculosis treatment in rural India

India has amongst the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, with an estimated 2 million new cases each year. The greatest burden of disease is amongst low socio-economic groups, where poor adherence to treatment by directly observed therapy (DOT) is a major constraint to TB control. This study used qualitative in-depth interviews with TB patients and front-line health providers to identify sociocultural and gender influences on DOT adherence. The results highlight the mismatch between cultural norms and directly observed therapy, short-course (DOTS) treatment provision and the divide between providers' and patients' perspectives on treatment default. Improving the efficacy of DOT depends upon acknowledging and addressing underlying cultural influences, which are particularly evident amongst patients from culturally conservative scheduled tribes.     

Ethical evaluation of immigration screening policy for latent tuberculosis infection

Objective : In Australia and New Zealand, immigration screening policy relating to tuberculosis is targeted towards identifying potential new arrivals with active infectious pulmonary disease. Recently, extensions of immigration policies to include latent tuberculosis infections have been proposed, which raise a new spectrum of ethical issues. Methods : Existing Australian and New Zealand immigration policy was reviewed. A principle‐based analytic framework was adopted for consideration of the ethical implications of proposed public health policy. Potential extensions of current policy in relation to latent tuberculosis infection are evaluated using this approach. Results : Current immigration policies related to tuberculosis focus on identification of immigrants with active infection. A principle‐based analytic framework allows evaluation of potential extensions of public health policy to incorporate screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis. Conclusions : Our paper explores the dynamic ethical tensions related to burdens and benefits of immigration screening for latent tuberculosis, and suggests that such policies could be justified under certain circumstances, including non‐arbitrary screening and post‐arrival management. The results of testing should not influence immigration outcome, but be used to mandate medical review and consideration of voluntary preventative treatment. Implications : Immigration strategies targeting latent tuberculosis could be ethically justified within appropriate guidelines. Proposed changes to policy should be evaluated on ethical grounds prior to introduction.     

Screening Latino adolescents for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rates of latent TB infection (LTBI) in a sample of young people in San Diego County and examine potential predictors of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST). METHODS: Latino and foreign-born students from ten public middle and high schools were invited to screenings along with a random 10% sample of all other students. After obtaining parental consent, Mantoux tests were placed (N=2,698) and read (n=2,667 [98.9%]) in 48-72 hours. A positive TST was defined as > or =10 mm induration. The mean age of the sample was 14.34 years (SD=1.81); 50.1% were female (n=1,353); 78.5% were Latino (n=2,108); 35.7% were foreign-born (n=939); and 44.3% were uninsured (n=930). RESULTS: The positive TST rate for Latinos was 21.8% vs. 5.6% for non-Latinos, p<0.001. Foreign-born Latinos had the highest infection rate (31.3%), followed by foreign-born non-Latinos (20.4%), U.S.-born Latinos (15.4%), and U.S.-born non-Latinos (1.0%), p<0.001. Logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of TST positivity. Being Latino (odds ratio [OR]=3.27), uninsured (OR=1.60), foreign-born (OR=3.90), and living in the south county region closest to the U.S./Mexico border (OR=2.72) were significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that Latino youth near the California/Mexico border are at high risk for infection, for remaining undiagnosed, and for being under-treated for LTBI.     

Using computerized clinical decision support for latent tuberculosis infection screening

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published guidelines recommending screening high-risk groups for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The goal of this study was to determine the impact of computerized clinical decision support and guided web-based documentation on screening rates for LTBI. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, prospective, intervention study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 8463 patients seen at two primary care, outpatient, public community health center clinics in late 2002 and early 2003. INTERVENTION: The CDC's LTBI guidelines were encoded into a computerized clinical decision support system that provided an alert recommending further assessment of LTBI risk if certain guideline criteria were met (birth in a high-risk TB country and aged <40). A guided web-based documentation tool was provided to facilitate appropriate adherence to the LTBI screening guideline and to promote accurate documentation and evaluation. Baseline data were collected for 15 weeks and study-phase data were collected for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Appropriate LTBI screening according to CDC guidelines based on chart review. RESULTS: Among 4135 patients registering during the post-intervention phase, 73% had at least one CDC-defined risk factor, and 610 met the alert criteria (birth in a high-risk TB country and aged <40 years) for potential screening for LTBI. Adherence with the LTBI screening guideline improved significantly from 8.9% at baseline to 25.2% during the study phase (183% increase, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that computerized, clinical decision support using alerts and guided web-based documentation increased screening of high-risk patients for LTBI. This type of technology could lead to an improvement in LTBI screening in the United States and also holds promise for improved care for other preventive and chronic conditions.     

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in German radiologists

Healthcare workers have an increased risk of tuberculosis infection compared with the general population. There have been few attempts to quantify the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection amongst German healthcare workers, due to inadequacy of the current tuberculin skin test (TST). Therefore, it was our aim to investigate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis in this cohort using a tuberculosis-specific ELISpot (T-SPOT.TB) test and to compare the performance of this test to that of the TST. Ninety-five healthy participants working in departments of radiology were examined by ELISpot, lymphocyte transformation test and TST. For cellular in-vitro tests, tuberculosis-specific peptides and purified protein derivate (PPD) were used as antigens. These tests were combined with a questionnaire on prior tuberculosis exposure. Out of 95 healthcare workers, only one (1%) was defined as positive by T-SPOT.TB, 92 (97%) by PPD-ELISpot, 78 (82%) by PPD-lymphocyte transformation test and 32 (34%) by TST. Multivariate analysis showed that the TST was significantly affected (P<0.0001 and P=0.001, respectively) by foreign birth and prior skin testing. The T-SPOT.TB test results were independent of foreign birth, prior skin testing and prior vaccination against tuberculosis. In contrast to the TST, T-SPOT.TB appears to be an accurate and useful tool to track tuberculosis infection in this at-risk group. With only one of 95 participants having acquired latent tuberculosis, these preliminary results argue for a low incidence of latent tuberculosis in German radiologists.     

结核定点医院医护人员结核潜伏感染对比研究

目的对比结核病定点医院呼吸科及结核科医护人员结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染情况,评估两科医护人员感染风险差异,为结核病定点医院调整防控措施提供科学依据。方法选取2018年1月-2018年5月某沿海城市结核病定点医院的呼吸科及结核病科工作人员101名,同时使用结核分枝杆菌感染T细胞斑点试验(mycobacterium tuberculosis infection T cell spot test, T-SPOT.TB)及结核菌素皮肤试验(tuberculin skin test,TST)对两科医护人员进行结核菌潜伏感染率调查;同期收集院感科关于医护人员及患者口罩佩戴情况的相关资料、随访调查患者咳嗽礼仪知晓情况,进行整合分析。结果呼吸科医护人员T-SPOT.TB阳性率为26.79%,结核科为22.22%,无统计学差异(χ~2=0.279,P=0.597),呼吸科医护人员TST阳性率为48.21%,高于结核科24.44%(χ~2=6.007,P=0.014);进一步比较分析发现,呼吸科医生的TST阳性率为52.63%,高于结核科医生的9.09%(P=0.023);结核科的医务人员及患者的口罩佩戴率和佩戴正确率均高于呼吸科(P<0.05);结核科患者的咳嗽礼仪知晓率为82.82%,高于呼吸科患者26.70%(χ~2=247.76,P<0.05);随着TST试验阳性标准的提高,TST、T-SPOT.TB试验的一致性水平越来越高(平均直径≥5 mm Kappa=0.331、平均直径≥10 mm Kappa=0.661平均直径≥15 mm Kappa=0.888)。结论上调TST试验的阳性判断标准可以提高TST和T-SPOT.TB试验的一致性,以有效发现结核病潜伏感染者;应提高结核病定点医院呼吸科医护人员结核菌感染的自我保护意识,对医务人员、患者进行正确佩戴口罩及咳嗽礼仪的指导,以提升结核病定点医院整体的院内防控水平。