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Shamputa IC, Law MA, Kelly C, Nguyen DTK, Burdo T, Umar J, Barker K, Webster D. Tuberculosis related barriers and facilitators among immigrants in Atlantic Canada: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001997. [PMID: 37276222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and affects approximately one-quarter of the world's population. Immigrant populations in Canada are disproportionately affected by TB. Canada's immigration medical examinations include screening for active TB but not latent TB infection (LTBI). In LTBI, the bacterium remains dormant within the host but can reactivate and cause disease. Once active, TB can be transmitted to close contacts sharing confined spaces leading to the possibility of outbreaks in the broader community. This study aimed to 1) assess the current TB knowledge, perceived risk, and risk behaviors of immigrants in Atlantic Canada as well as 2) identify barriers and facilitators to testing and treatment of TB among this population. Three focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 14 non-Canadian born residents of New Brunswick aged 19 years and older. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified from the data relating to barriers to testing and treatment of LTBI: 1) Need for education, 2) stigma, 3) fear of testing, treatment, and healthcare system, and 4) complacency. Results included reasons individuals would not receive TB testing, treatment, or seek help, as well as facilitators to testing and treatment. These findings may inform the implemention of an LTBI screening program in Atlantic Canada and more broadly across the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isdore Chola Shamputa
- Department of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Moira A Law
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Clara Kelly
- Department of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Duyen Thi Kim Nguyen
- Government of New Brunswick, Department of Health, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Tatum Burdo
- Dalhousie University New Brunswick, MD Program, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Jabran Umar
- Dalhousie University New Brunswick, MD Program, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Kimberley Barker
- Government of New Brunswick, Department of Health, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Duncan Webster
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
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Long R, Lau A, Barrie J, Winter C, Armstrong G, Egedahl ML, Doroshenko A. Limitations of Chest Radiography in Diagnosing Subclinical Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Canada. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2023; 7:165-170. [PMID: 37168770 PMCID: PMC10165135 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is defined as "…a state of disease due to viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis that does not cause TB-related symptoms but does cause other abnormalities that can be detected using existing radiologic and mycobacteriologic assays." In high-income countries, subclinical PTB is usually diagnosed during active case finding, is acid-fast bacilli smear negative, and associated with minimal or no lung parenchymal abnormality on chest radiograph. In the absence of symptoms, the epidemiologic risk of TB and chest radiograph are critical to making the diagnosis. In a cohort of 327 patients with subclinical PTB, we address the question-how well field radiologists perform at identifying features important to the diagnosis of PTB, the presence or absence of which have been established by a panel of expert radiologists? Although not performing badly compared with this "gold standard," field readers were nevertheless susceptible to overread or underread films and miss key diagnostic features, such as the presence of a lung parenchymal abnormality, typical pattern, or cavitation. In the context of active case finding during which most patients with subclinical PTB are discovered, limitations of the chest radiograph need to be recognized, and sputum, ideally induced, should be submitted regardless of the radiographic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Long
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Correspondence: Address to Richard Long, MD, Department of Medicine, Room 8325, Aberhart Centre 11402 University Avenue, NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3.
| | - Angela Lau
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James Barrie
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gavin Armstrong
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Egedahl
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Wahedi K, Zenner D, Flores S, Bozorgmehr K. Mandatory, voluntary, repetitive, or one-off post-migration follow-up for tuberculosis prevention and control: A systematic review. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004030. [PMID: 36719863 PMCID: PMC9888720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-migration follow-up of migrants identified to be at-risk of developing tuberculosis during the initial screening is effective, but programmes vary across countries. We aimed to review main strategies applied to design follow-up programmes and analyse the effect of key programme characteristics on reported coverage (i.e., proportion of migrants screened among those eligible for screening) or yields (i.e., proportion of active tuberculosis among those identified as eligible for follow-up screening). METHODS AND FINDINGS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting yields of follow-up screening programmes. Studies were included if they reported the rate of tuberculosis disease detected in international migrants through active case finding strategies and applied a post-migration follow-up (defined as one or more additional rounds of screening after finalising the initial round). For this, we retrieved all studies identified by Chan and colleagues for their systematic review (in their search until January 12, 2017) and included those reporting from active follow-up programmes. We then updated the search (from January 12, 2017 to September 30, 2022) using Medline and Embase via Ovid. Data were extracted on reported coverage, yields, and key programme characteristics, including eligible population, mode of screening, time intervals for screening, programme providers, and legal frameworks. Differences in follow-up programmes were tabulated and synthesised narratively. Meta-analyses in random effect models and exploratory analysis of subgroups showed high heterogeneity (I2 statistic > 95.0%). We hence refrained from pooling, and estimated yields and coverage with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), stratified by country, legal character (mandatory versus voluntary screening), and follow-up scheme (one-off versus repetitive screening) using forest plots for comparison and synthesis. Of 1,170 articles, 24 reports on screening programmes from 7 countries were included, with considerable variation in eligible populations, time intervals of screening, and diagnostic protocols. Coverage varied, but was higher than 60% in 15 studies, and tended to be lower in voluntary compared to compulsory programmes, and higher in studies from the United States of America, Israel, and Australia. Yield varied within and between countries and ranged between 53.05 (31.94 to 82.84) in a Dutch study and 5,927.05 (4,248.29 to 8,013.71) in a study from the United States. Of 15 estimates with narrow 95% CIs for yields, 12 were below 1,500 cases per 100,000 eligible migrants. Estimates of yields in one-off follow-up programmes tended to be higher and were surrounded by less uncertainty, compared to those in repetitive follow-up programmes. Yields in voluntary and mandatory programmes were comparable in magnitude and uncertainty. The study is limited by the heterogeneity in the design of the identified screening programmes as effectiveness, coverage and yields also depend on factors often underreported or not known, such as baseline incidence in the respective population, reactivation rate, educative and administrative processes, and consequences of not complying with obligatory measures. CONCLUSION Programme characteristics of post-migration follow-up screening for prevention and control of tuberculosis as well as coverage and yield vary considerably. Voluntary programmes appear to have similar yields compared with mandatory programmes and repetitive screening apparently did not lead to higher yields compared with one-off screening. Screening strategies should consider marginal costs for each additional round of screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Wahedi
- Section for Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice & Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Marsilius-Arkaden, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Zenner
- Clinical Reader in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio Flores
- Department of Public Healthy and Caring Sciences, Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Section for Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice & Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Marsilius-Arkaden, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Germany, Bielefeld, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Lau A, Lin C, Barrie J, Winter C, Armstrong G, Egedahl ML, Doroshenko A, Heffernan C, Asadi L, Fisher D, Paulsen C, Moolji J, Long R. The Radiographic and Mycobacteriologic Correlates of Subclinical Pulmonary TB in Canada: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Chest 2022; 162:309-320. [PMID: 35122750 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very little is known about subclinical pulmonary TB (PTB), a recently described intermediate state, in high-income countries. RESEARCH QUESTION What is the prevalence of subclinical PTB in Canada? What are its diagnostic chest radiography features? What is the relationship between those features and time to culture positivity, and what is the association between DNA fingerprint clustering, a measure of local transmission, and radiographic or other features in the foreign-born? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We used primary source data to identify a 16-year retrospective cohort of patients with PTB. Demographic and mycobacteriologic features in patients with subclinical and clinical disease were compared, and the reason for assessment of patients with subclinical disease was described. Diagnostic chest radiographs in patients with subclinical disease were read by two independent readers and were arbitrated by a third reader. Linear regression was used to compute time to culture positivity (in days) in relationship to the change in chest radiograph findings from normal or minimally abnormal to moderately or far advanced, adjusted for age and sex and stratified by reason for assessment. Multivariate logistic regression was used in foreign-born patients with subclinical disease to determine associations between DNA fingerprint clustering of Mycobacterium TB isolates and age, sex, chest radiograph features, and time since arrival. RESULTS We identified 1,656 patients with PTB, 347 of whom (21%) were subclinical. Compared with patients with clinical disease, patients with subclinical disease were more likely to be foreign-born (90.2% vs 79.6%) and to demonstrate negative smear results (88.2% vs 43.5%). The median time to culture-positivity was 18 days (interquartile range [IQR], 14-25 days) vs 12 days (IQR, 7-17 days). Most patients with PTB (75.2%) were identified during active case finding. Parenchymal disease was absent or minimal on chest radiography in 86.4% of patients. More advanced disease on chest radiography was associated with shorter times to culture positivity in nonstratified (by 3.3 days) and stratified (by 4.5-5.8 days) analysis (active case-finding groups). DNA fingerprint clustering was associated with male sex and a longer time between arrival and diagnosis. INTERPRETATION Subclinical patients with PTB constitute a substantial and heterogeneous minority of patients with PTB in high-income countries. DNA fingerprint clustering is consistent with some, albeit limited, local transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lau
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Christopher Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - James Barrie
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gavin Armstrong
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Egedahl
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alexander Doroshenko
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Courtney Heffernan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Leyla Asadi
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Dina Fisher
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Catherine Paulsen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jalal Moolji
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Richard Long
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Meaza A, Tola HH, Eshetu K, Mindaye T, Medhin G, Gumi B. Tuberculosis among refugees and migrant populations: Systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268696. [PMID: 35679258 PMCID: PMC9182295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among refugees and migrant populations. These groups are among the most vulnerable populations at increased risk of developing TB. However, there is no systematic review that attempts to summarize TB among refugees and migrant populations. This study aimed to summarize evidence on the magnitude of TB among refugees and migrant populations. The findings of this review will provide evidence to improve TB prevention and control policies in refugees and migrants in refugee camps and in migrant-hosting countries. A systematic search was done to retrieve the articles published from 2014 to 2021 in English language from electronic databases. Key searching terms were used in both free text and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH). Articles which had reported the magnitude of TB among refugees and migrant populations were included in the review. We assessed the risk of bias, and quality of the included studies with a modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Included studies which had reported incidence or prevalence data were eligible for data synthesis. The results were shown as summary tables. In the present review, more than 3 million refugees and migrants were screened for TB with the data collection period between 1991 and 2017 among the included studies. The incidence and prevalence of TB ranged from 19 to 754 cases per 100,000 population and 18.7 to 535 cases per 100,000 population respectively among the included studies. The current findings show that the most reported countries of origin in TB cases among refugees and migrants were from Asia and Africa; and the incidence and prevalence of TB among refugees and migrant populations is higher than in the host countries. This implies the need to implement and improve TB prevention and control in refugees and migrant populations globally. Trial registration: The protocol of this review was registered on PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) with ID number, CRD42020157619.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abyot Meaza
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Kirubel Eshetu
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tedla Mindaye
- Sibley Memorial Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Girmay Medhin
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Balako Gumi
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Asadi L, Croxen M, Heffernan C, Dhillon M, Paulsen C, Egedahl ML, Tyrrell G, Doroshenko A, Long R. How much do smear-negative patients really contribute to tuberculosis transmissions? Re-examining an old question with new tools. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 43:101250. [PMID: 35036885 PMCID: PMC8743225 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sputum smear microscopy is a common surrogate for tuberculosis infectiousness. Previous estimates that smear-negative patients contribute 13-20% of transmissions and are, on average, 20 to 25% as infectious as smear-positive cases are understood to be high. Herein, we use an ideal real-world setting, a comprehensive dataset, and new high-resolution techniques to more accurately estimate the true transmission risk of smear-negative cases. METHODS We treated all adult culture-positive pulmonary TB patients diagnosed in the province of Alberta, Canada from 2003 to 2016 as potential transmitters. The primary data sources were the Alberta TB Registry and the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health. We measured, as primary outcomes, the proportion of transmissions attributable to smear-negative sources and the relative transmission rate. First, we replicated previous studies by using molecular (DNA) fingerprint clustering. Then, using a prospectively collected registry of TB contacts, we defined transmission events as active TB amongst identified contacts who either had a 100% DNA fingerprint match to the source case or a clinical diagnosis. We supplemented our analysis with genome sequencing on temporally and geographically linked DNA fingerprint clusters of cases not identified as contacts. FINDINGS There were 1176 cases, 563 smear-negative and 613 smear-positive, and 23,131 contacts. Replicating previous studies, the proportion of transmissions attributable to smear-negative source cases was 16% (95% CI, 12-19%) and the relative transmission rate was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.14-0.26). With our combined approach, the proportion of transmission was 8% (95% CI, 3-14%) and the relative transmission rate became 0.10 (95% CI, 0.05-0.19). INTERPRETATION When we examined the same outcomes as in previous studies but refined transmission ascertainment with the addition of conventional epidemiology and genomics, we found that smear-negative cases were ∼50% less infectious than previously thought. FUNDING Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Asadi
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Matthew Croxen
- The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Courtney Heffernan
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Mannat Dhillon
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Catherine Paulsen
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Egedahl
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Greg Tyrrell
- The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alexander Doroshenko
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
| | - Richard Long
- The Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Room 8334A, 3rd Floor, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue NW, Edmonton, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3, Canada
- Corresponding author.
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Long R, Lau A, Egedahl ML, Paulsen C, Heffernan C, Edwards B, Cooper R. Local Transmission Plays No Important Role in the Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Immigrants to Canada: An In-depth Epidemiologic Analysis. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:1029-1038. [PMID: 33502538 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis has increased among migrants in Canada. The cause(s) of this increase is unknown. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study in a Canadian province with substantially increased immigration between 1982-2001 and 2002-2019. The proportion of MDR tuberculosis among migrants arriving from high MDR (HMDR) tuberculosis burden countries during these 2 periods was used to estimate the proportion of cases due to immigration versus change in proportion in the country of birth. Epidemiologic, spatiotemporal, and drug resistance pattern data were used to confirm local transmission. RESULTS Fifty-two of 3514 (1.48%) foreign-born culture-positive tuberculosis patients had MDR tuberculosis: 8 (0.6%) in 1982-2001 and 44 (2.0%) in 2002-2019. Between time periods, the proportion of MDR tuberculosis among migrants with tuberculosis from HMDR tuberculosis countries increased from 1.11% to 3.62%, P = .003; 31.6% attributable to recent immigration and 68.4% to a higher proportion of MDR tuberculosis in cases arrived from HMDR tuberculosis countries. No cases of MDR tuberculosis were attributable to local transmission. CONCLUSIONS In stark contrast to HMDR tuberculosis countries, local transmission plays no important role in the occurrence of MDR tuberculosis in Canada. Improved tuberculosis programming in HMDR tuberculosis countries is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Long
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Angela Lau
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Egedahl
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Paulsen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Courtney Heffernan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brett Edwards
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ryan Cooper
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Knowledge brokering on infectious diseases for public health. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 47:160-164. [PMID: 34012340 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v47i03a06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The National Collaborating Centres (NCCs) for Public Health (NCCPH) were established in 2005 as part of the federal government's commitment to renew and strengthen public health following the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. They were set up to support knowledge translation for more timely use of scientific research and other knowledges in public health practice, programs and policies in Canada. Six centres comprise the NCCPH, including the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID). The NCCID works with public health practitioners to find, understand and use research and evidence on infectious diseases and related determinants of health. The NCCID has a mandate to forge connections between those who generate and those who use infectious diseases knowledge. As the first article in a series on the NCCPH, we describe our role in knowledge brokering and the numerous methods and products that we have developed. In addition, we illustrate how NCCID has been able to work with public health to generate and share knowledge during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Edwards BD, Edwards J, Cooper R, Kunimoto D, Somayaji R, Fisher D. Rifampin-resistant/multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis in Alberta, Canada: Epidemiology and treatment outcomes in a low-incidence setting. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246993. [PMID: 33592031 PMCID: PMC7886202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of rifampin-monoresistant/multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) requires long treatment courses, complicated by frequent adverse events and low success rates. Incidence of RR/MDR-TB in Canada is low and treatment practices are variable due to the infrequent experience and challenges with drug access. We undertook a retrospective cohort study of all RR/MDR-TB cases in Alberta, Canada from 2007-2017 to explore the epidemiology and outcomes in our low incidence setting. We performed a descriptive analysis of the epidemiology, treatment regimens and associated outcomes, calculating differences in continuous and discrete variables using Student's t and Chi-squared tests, respectively. We identified 24 patients with RR/MDR-TB. All patients were foreign-born with the median time to presentation after immigration being 3 years. Prior treatment was reported in 46%. Treatment was individualized. All patients achieved sputum culture conversion within two months of treatment initiation. The median treatment duration after culture conversion was 18 months (IQR: 15-19). The mean number of drugs utilized during the intensive phase was 4.3 (SD: 0.8) and during the continuation phase was 3.3 (SD: 0.9) and the mean adherence to medications was 95%. Six patients completed national guideline-concordant therapy, with many patients developing adverse events (79%). Treatment success (defined as completion of prescribed therapy or cure) was achieved in 23/24 patients and no acquired drug resistance or relapse was detected over 1.8 years of median follow-up. Many cases were captured upon immigration assessment, representing important prevention of community spread. Despite high rates of adverse events and short treatment compared to international guidelines, success in our cohort was very high at 96%. This is likely due to individualization of therapy, frequent use of medications with high effectiveness, intensive treatment support, and early sputum conversion seen in our cohort. There should be ongoing exploration of treatment shortening with well-tolerated, efficacious oral agents to help patients achieve treatment completion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D. Edwards
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jenny Edwards
- Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ryan Cooper
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dennis Kunimoto
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ranjani Somayaji
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dina Fisher
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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10
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Ronald LA, Campbell JR, Rose C, Balshaw R, Romanowski K, Roth DZ, Marra F, Schwartzman K, Cook VJ, Johnston JC. Estimated Impact of World Health Organization Latent Tuberculosis Screening Guidelines in a Region With a Low Tuberculosis Incidence: Retrospective Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:2101-2108. [PMID: 30856258 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and treatment is a key component of the World Health Organization (WHO) EndTB Strategy, but the impact of LTBI screening and treatment at a population level is unclear. We aimed to estimate the impact of LTBI screening and treatment in a population of migrants to British Columbia (BC), Canada. METHODS This retrospective cohort included all individuals (N = 1 080 908) who immigrated to Canada as permanent residents between 1985 and 2012 and were residents in BC at any time up to 2013. Multiple administrative databases were linked to identify people with risk factors who met the WHO strong recommendations for screening: people with tuberculosis (TB) contact, with human immunodeficiency virus, on dialysis, with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, who had an organ/haematological transplant, or with silicosis. Additional TB risk factors included immunosuppressive medications, cancer, diabetes, and migration from a country with a high TB burden. We defined active TB as preventable if diagnosed ≥6 months after a risk factor diagnosis. We estimated the number of preventable TB cases, given optimal LTBI screening and treatment, based on these risk factors. RESULTS There were 16 085 people (1.5%) identified with WHO strong risk factors. Of the 2814 people with active TB, 118 (4.2%) were considered preventable through screening with WHO risk factors. Less than half (49.4%) were considered preventable with expanded screening to include people migrating from countries with high TB burdens, people who had been prescribed immunosuppressive medications, or people with diabetes or cancer. CONCLUSIONS The application of WHO LTBI strong recommendations for screening would have minimally impacted the TB incidence in this population. Further high-risk groups must be identified to develop an effective LTBI screening and treatment strategy for low-incidence regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Ronald
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver
| | | | - Caren Rose
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver.,School of Public and Population Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Robert Balshaw
- Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
| | | | - David Z Roth
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver
| | - Fawziah Marra
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Kevin Schwartzman
- McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Montreal.,Respiratory Division, Montreal Chest Institute, Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Victoria J Cook
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - James C Johnston
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver.,McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Montreal.,School of Public and Population Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.,Division of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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11
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Norton S, Bag SK, Cho JG, Heron N, Assareh H, Pavaresh L, Corbett S, Marais BJ. Detailed characterisation of the tuberculosis epidemic in Western Sydney: a descriptive epidemiological study. ERJ Open Res 2019; 5:00211-2018. [PMID: 31528636 PMCID: PMC6734008 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00211-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology reports rarely provide a detailed analysis of TB incidence in particular geographic locations and among diverse population groups. Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has one of the highest TB incidence rates in Australia, and we explored whether more detailed epidemiological analysis could provide a better overview of the local disease dynamics. Using multiple relevant data sources, we performed a retrospective descriptive study of TB cases diagnosed within the WSLHD from 2006 to 2015 with a specific focus on geographic hotspots and the population structure within these hotspots. Over the study period nearly 90% of Western Sydney TB cases were born in a high TB incidence country. The TB disease burden was geographically concentrated in particular areas, with variable ethnic profiles in these different hotspots. The most common countries of birth were India (33.0%), the Philippines (11.4%) and China (8.8%). Among the local government areas in Western Sydney, Auburn had the highest average TB incidence (29.4 per 100 000) with exceptionally high population-specific TB incidence rates among people born in Nepal (average 223 per 100 000 population), Afghanistan (average 154 per 100 000 population) and India (average 143 per 100 000 population). Similar to other highly cosmopolitan cities around the world, the TB burden in Sydney showed strong geographic concentration. Detailed analysis of TB patient and population profiles in Western Sydney should guide better contextualised and culturally appropriate public health strategies. High migration from tuberculosis (TB)-endemic settings to Western Sydney is driving over-representation among TB cases of specific cultural groups within geographic “hotspots”, requiring contextualised and culturally appropriate public health strategieshttp://bit.ly/2LqusU9
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Norton
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Public Health Unit, Parramatta, Australia
| | - Shopna K Bag
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Public Health Unit, Parramatta, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Jin-Gun Cho
- The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.,Parramatta Chest Clinic, Parramatta, Australia.,Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville, Australia
| | - Neil Heron
- Parramatta Chest Clinic, Parramatta, Australia
| | - Hassan Assareh
- Epidemiology and Health Analytic, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, Australia
| | - Laila Pavaresh
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Public Health Unit, Parramatta, Australia.,Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville, Australia
| | - Stephen Corbett
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Public Health Unit, Parramatta, Australia.,The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Ben J Marais
- The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.,The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
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12
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Takii T, Seki K, Wakabayashi Y, Morishige Y, Sekizuka T, Yamashita A, Kato K, Uchimura K, Ohkado A, Keicho N, Mitarai S, Kuroda M, Kato S. Whole-genome sequencing-based epidemiological analysis of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance genes in Japan in 2007: Application of the Genome Research for Asian Tuberculosis (GReAT) database. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12823. [PMID: 31492902 PMCID: PMC6731343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates from the RYOKEN study in Japan in 2007 and the usefulness of genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using the Genome Research for Asian Tuberculosis (GReAT) database. In total, 667 isolates were classified into lineage 1 (4.6%), lineage 2 (0.8%), lineage 2/Beijing (72.1%), lineage 3 (0.5%), and lineage 4 (22.0%). The nationality, gender, and age groups associated with the isolates assigned to lineage 1 were significantly different from those associated with other lineages. In particular, isolates of lineage 1.2.1 (EAI2) formed sub-clusters and included a 2,316-bp deletion in the genome. The proportion of the isolates resistant to at least one anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug was 10.8%, as determined by either the genotypic or phenotypic method of DST. However, the sensitivities to isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol determined by the genotypic method were low. Thus, unidentified mutations in the genome responsible for drug resistance were explored, revealing previously unreported mutations in the katG, gid, and embB genes. This is the first nationwide report of whole-genome analysis of TB in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takemasa Takii
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan.
| | - Kouhei Seki
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Wakabayashi
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Yuta Morishige
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Akifumi Yamashita
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kengo Kato
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Uchimura
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ohkado
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Naoto Keicho
- Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mitarai
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Seiya Kato
- Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, 3-1-24 Matsuyama, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8533, Japan
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13
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Long R, Asadi L, Heffernan C, Barrie J, Winter C, Egedahl ML, Paulsen C, Kunimoto B, Menzies D. Is there a fundamental flaw in Canada's post-arrival immigrant surveillance system for tuberculosis? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212706. [PMID: 30849130 PMCID: PMC6407769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New immigrants to Canada with a history of tuberculosis or evidence of old healed tuberculosis on chest radiograph are referred to public health authorities for medical surveillance. This ostensible public health protection measure identifies a subgroup of patients (referrals) who are at very low risk (compared to non-referrals) of transmission. METHODS To assess whether earlier diagnosis or a different phenotypic expression of disease explains this difference, we systematically reconstructed the immigration and transmission histories from a well-defined cohort of recently-arrived referral and non-referral pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Canada. Incident case chest radiographs in all cases and sequential past radiographs in referrals were re-read by three experts. Change in disease severity from pre-immigration radiograph to incident radiograph was the primary, and transmission of tuberculosis, the secondary, outcome. RESULTS There were 174 cohort cases; 61 (35.1%) referrals and 113 (64.9%) non-referrals. Compared to non-referrals, referrals were less likely to be symptomatic (26% vs. 80%), smear-positive (15% vs. 50%), or to have cavitation (0% vs. 35%) or extensive disease (15% vs. 59%) on chest radiograph. After adjustment for referral status, time between films, country-of-birth, age and co-morbidities, referrals were less likely to have substantial changes on chest radiograph; OR 0.058 (95% CI 0.018-0.199). All secondary cases and 82% of tuberculin skin test conversions occurred in contacts of non-referrals. CONCLUSIONS Phenotypically different disease, and not earlier diagnosis, explains the difference in transmission risk between referrals and non-referrals. Screening, and treating high-risk non-referrals for latent tuberculosis is necessary to eliminate tuberculosis in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Long
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Leyla Asadi
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Courtney Heffernan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James Barrie
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Egedahl
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Paulsen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brenden Kunimoto
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dick Menzies
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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14
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Kaushik N, Lowbridge C, Scandurra G, Dobler CC. Post-migration follow-up programme for migrants at increased risk of developing tuberculosis: a cohort study. ERJ Open Res 2018; 4:00008-2018. [PMID: 30018973 PMCID: PMC6043723 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00008-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Following pre-migration screening for tuberculosis (TB), migrants who are deemed to be at a high risk of developing TB must attend post-entry follow-up in Australia. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of post-migration TB follow-up in the state of New South Wales to diagnose TB in these high-risk migrants. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the risk of TB in migrants who arrived in New South Wales between 2000 and 2015 and were referred for post-migration follow-up. Clinical notes were examined for a nested cohort to determine whether TB was diagnosed via the follow-up programme or via passive case finding. Of the 32 550 migrants referred for follow-up, 428 (1.3%) developed TB. The incidence of TB was 436 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 384-491 per 100 000 person-years) in the first 2 years after arrival and 128 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 116-140 per 100 000 person-years) over the mean study observation period of 10.3 years. An estimated 63% of cases were diagnosed via follow-up. TB notifications occurred 0.55 years earlier since time of arrival in Australia in migrants who attended follow-up than in those who did not. Post-migration follow-up detected 63% of TB cases in high-risk migrants and potentially prevented delay of TB diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishta Kaushik
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Gabriella Scandurra
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Claudia C Dobler
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,Evidence-Based Practice Center, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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15
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Hayward S, Harding RM, McShane H, Tanner R. Factors influencing the higher incidence of tuberculosis among migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK. F1000Res 2018; 7:461. [PMID: 30210785 PMCID: PMC6107974 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14476.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) compared with the general population. Historically, much of the disparity in incidence between UK-born and migrant populations has been attributed to differential pathogen exposure, due to migration from high-incidence regions and the transnational connections maintained with TB endemic countries of birth or ethnic origin. However, focusing solely on exposure fails to address the relatively high rates of progression to active disease observed in some populations of latently infected individuals. A range of factors that disproportionately affect migrants and ethnic minorities, including genetic susceptibility, vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and HIV, also increase vulnerability to infection with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) or reactivation of latent infection. Furthermore, ethnic socio-economic disparities and the experience of migration itself may contribute to differences in TB incidence, as well as cultural and structural barriers to accessing healthcare. In this review, we discuss both biological and anthropological influences relating to risk of pathogen exposure, vulnerability to infection or development of active disease, and access to treatment for migrant and ethnic minorities in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hayward
- St John's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3JP, UK
| | | | - Helen McShane
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Rachel Tanner
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
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16
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Hayward S, Harding RM, McShane H, Tanner R. Factors influencing the higher incidence of tuberculosis among migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK. F1000Res 2018; 7:461. [PMID: 30210785 PMCID: PMC6107974 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14476.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) compared with the general population. Historically, much of the disparity in incidence between UK-born and migrant populations has been attributed to differential pathogen exposure, due to migration from high-incidence regions and the transnational connections maintained with TB endemic countries of birth or ethnic origin. However, focusing solely on exposure fails to address the relatively high rates of progression to active disease observed in some populations of latently infected individuals. A range of factors that disproportionately affect migrants and ethnic minorities, including genetic susceptibility, vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and HIV, also increase vulnerability to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) or reactivation of latent infection. Furthermore, ethnic socio-economic disparities and the experience of migration itself may contribute to differences in TB incidence, as well as cultural and structural barriers to accessing healthcare. In this review, we discuss both biological and anthropological influences relating to risk of pathogen exposure, vulnerability to infection or development of active disease, and access to treatment for migrant and ethnic minorities in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hayward
- St John’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3JP, UK
| | | | - Helen McShane
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Rachel Tanner
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
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17
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Sotgiu G, Migliori GB. Prevention of tuberculosis transmission through medical surveillance systems. LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 2:e439-e440. [PMID: 29253422 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(17)30179-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sotgiu
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Battista Migliori
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Maugeri Care and Research Institute, IRCCS, Tradate, Italy
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