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Yin J, Yan G, Qin L, Zhu C, Fan J, Li Y, Jia J, Wu Z, Jiang H, Khan MT, Wu J, Chu N, Takiff HE, Gao Q, Qin S, Liu Q, Li W. Genomic investigation of bone tuberculosis highlighted the role of subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis in transmission. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2024; 148:102534. [PMID: 38909563 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2024.102534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) without symptomatic pulmonary involvement has been thought to be non-transmissible, but EPTB with asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) could transmit tuberculosis (TB). Genomic investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates from EPTB may provide insight into its epidemiological role in TB transmission. METHODS Between January 2017 and May 2020, 107 Mtb isolates were obtained from surgical drainage of bone TB patients at the Beijing Chest Hospital, and 218 Mtb strains were isolated from PTB cases. These 325 Mtb isolates were whole-genome sequenced to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree, identify transmission clusters, and infer transmission links using a Bayesian approach. Possible subclinical PTB in the bone TB patients was investigated with chest imaging by two independent experts. RESULTS Among 107 bone TB patients, 10 were in genomic clusters (≤12 SNPs). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that three bone TB patients transmitted the infection to secondary cases, supported by epidemiological investigations. Pulmonary imaging of 44 bone TB patients revealed that 79.5 % (35/44) had radiological abnormalities suggestive of subclinical PTB. CONCLUSIONS This study provides genomic evidence that bone TB patients without clinically diagnosed PTB can be sources of TB transmission, underscoring the importance of screening for subclinical, transmissible PTB among EPTB cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Yin
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China; China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxuan Yan
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Liyi Qin
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chendi Zhu
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Fan
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Li
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Junnan Jia
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaojun Wu
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Jiangdong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases Cooperated by Education Ministry with Xinjiang Province, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Naihui Chu
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Howard E Takiff
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Qian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibing Qin
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Qingyun Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Weimin Li
- Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Fortune SM. The Titanic question in TB control: Should we worry about the bummock? Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403321121. [PMID: 38527210 PMCID: PMC10998566 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403321121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Fortune
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA02115
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Carter N, Webb EL, Lebina L, Motsomi K, Bosch Z, Martinson NA, MacPherson P. Prevalence of subclinical pulmonary tuberculosis and its association with HIV in household contacts of index tuberculosis patients in two South African provinces: a secondary, cross-sectional analysis of a cluster-randomised trial. BMC GLOBAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 1:21. [PMID: 38798821 PMCID: PMC11116238 DOI: 10.1186/s44263-023-00022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Background People with subclinical tuberculosis (TB) have microbiological evidence of disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but either do not have or do not report TB symptoms. The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and subclinical TB is not yet well understood. We estimated the prevalence of subclinical pulmonary TB in household contacts of index TB patients in two South African provinces, and how this differed by HIV status. Methods This was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of baseline data from the intervention arm of a household cluster randomised trial. Prevalence of subclinical TB was measured as the number of household contacts aged ≥ 5 years who had positive sputum TB microscopy, culture or nucleic acid amplification test (Xpert MTB/Rif or Xpert Ultra) results on a single sputum specimen and who did not report current cough, fever, weight loss or night sweats on direct questioning. Regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between HIV status and subclinical TB; adjusting for province, sex and age in household contacts; and HIV status in index patients. Results Amongst household contacts, microbiologically confirmed prevalent subclinical TB was over twice as common as symptomatic TB disease (48/2077, 2.3%, 95% CI 1.7-3.1% compared to 20/2077, 1.0%, 95% CI 0.6-1.5%). Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in people living with HIV (15/377, 4.0%, 95% CI 2.2-6.5%) compared to those who were HIV-negative (33/1696, 1.9%, 95% CI 1.3-2.7%; p = 0.018). In regression analysis, living with HIV (377/2077, 18.2%) was associated with a two-fold increase in prevalent subclinical TB with 95% confidence intervals consistent with no association through to a four-fold increase (adjusted OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.99-4.01, p = 0.052). Living with HIV was associated with a five-fold increase in prevalent symptomatic TB (adjusted OR 5.05, 95% CI 2.22-11.59, p < 0.001). Conclusions Most (70.6%) pulmonary TB diagnosed in household contacts in this setting was subclinical. Living with HIV was likely associated with prevalent subclinical TB and was associated with prevalent symptomatic TB. Universal sputum testing with sensitive assays improves early TB diagnosis in subclinical household contacts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44263-023-00022-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Carter
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily L. Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Clinical Trials Unit, Africa Health Research Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kegaugetswe Motsomi
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Zama Bosch
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil A. Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Peter MacPherson
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Yates TA, Karat AS, Bozzani F, McCreesh N, MacGregor H, Beckwith PG, Govender I, Colvin CJ, Kielmann K, Grant AD. Time to change the way we think about tuberculosis infection prevention and control in health facilities: insights from recent research. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2023; 3:e117. [PMID: 37502244 PMCID: PMC10369445 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
In clinical settings where airborne pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are prevalent, they constitute an important threat to health workers and people accessing healthcare. We report key insights from a 3-year project conducted in primary healthcare clinics in South Africa, alongside other recent tuberculosis infection prevention and control (TB-IPC) research. We discuss the fragmentation of TB-IPC policies and budgets; the characteristics of individuals attending clinics with prevalent pulmonary tuberculosis; clinic congestion and patient flow; clinic design and natural ventilation; and the facility-level determinants of the implementation (or not) of TB-IPC interventions. We present modeling studies that describe the contribution of M. tuberculosis transmission in clinics to the community tuberculosis burden and economic evaluations showing that TB-IPC interventions are highly cost-effective. We argue for a set of changes to TB-IPC, including better coordination of policymaking, clinic decongestion, changes to clinic design and building regulations, and budgeting for enablers to sustain implementation of TB-IPC interventions. Additional research is needed to find the most effective means of improving the implementation of TB-IPC interventions; to develop approaches to screening for prevalent pulmonary tuberculosis that do not rely on symptoms; and to identify groups of patients that can be seen in clinic less frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A. Yates
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aaron S. Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | | | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hayley MacGregor
- The Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Peter G. Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Christopher J. Colvin
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alison D. Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanSouth Africa
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Ruperez M, Shanaube K, Mureithi L, Wapamesa C, Burnett MJ, Kosloff B, de Haas P, Hayes R, Fidler S, Gachie T, Schaap A, Floyd S, Klinkenberg E, Ayles H. Use of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing for screening of tuberculosis in the community in high-burden settings: a prospective, cross-sectional study in Zambia and South Africa. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e704-e714. [PMID: 37061309 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00113-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WHO recommends community-wide, systematic tuberculosis screening in high-prevalence settings. C-reactive protein has been proposed as a tuberculosis screening tool for people living with HIV. We aimed to assess the performance of a point-of-care C-reactive protein test for tuberculosis screening in the community in two countries with a high tuberculosis burden. METHODS We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study in four communities in Zambia and South Africa, nested in a tuberculosis prevalence survey. We included adults (aged ≥15 years) who were sputum-eligible (tuberculosis-suggestive symptoms or computer-aided-detection score ≥40 on chest x-ray) and whose sputum was tested with Xpert Ultra and liquid culture. A 5% random sample of individuals who were non-sputum-eligible was also included. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing, alone and combined with symptom screening, to detect tuberculosis in participants who were sputum-eligible, compared with a microbiological reference standard (positive result in Xpert Ultra, culture, or both). FINDINGS Between Feb 19 and Aug 11, 2019, 9588 participants were enrolled in the tuberculosis prevalence study, 1588 of whom had C-reactive protein testing and received results (875 [55·1%] were women and girls, 713 [44·9%] were men and boys, 1317 [82·9%] were sputum-eligible, and 271 [17·1%] were non-sputum-eligible). Among participants who were sputum-eligible, we identified 76 individuals with tuberculosis, of whom 25 were living with HIV. Sensitivity of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing with a cutoff point of 5 mg/L or more was 50·0% (38/76, 95% CI 38·3-61·7) and specificity was 72·3% (890/1231, 69·7-74·8). Point-of-care C-reactive protein combined in parallel with symptom screening had higher sensitivity than symptom screening alone (60·5% [46/76, 95% CI 48·6-71·6] vs 34·2% [26/76, 23·7-46·0]). Specificity of point-of-care C-reactive protein combined in parallel with symptom screening was 51·7% (636/1231, 95% CI 48·8-54·5) versus 70·5% (868/1231, 67·9-73·0) with symptom screening alone. Similarly, in people living with HIV, sensitivity of point-of-care C-reactive protein combined with symptom screening was 72·0% (18/25, 95% CI 50·6-87·9) and that of symptom screening alone was 36·0% (9/25, 18·0-57·5). Specificity of point-of-care C-reactive protein testing combined in parallel with symptom screening in people living with HIV was 47·0% (118/251, 95% CI 40·7-53·4) versus 72·1% (181/251, 66·1-77·6) with symptom screening alone. INTERPRETATION Point-of-care C-reactive protein testing alone does not meet the 90% sensitivity stipulated by WHO's target product profile for desirable characteristics for screening tests for detecting tuberculosis. However, combined with symptom screening, it might improve identification of individuals with tuberculosis in communities with high prevalence, and might be particularly useful where other recommended tools, such as chest x-ray, might not be readily available. FUNDING European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ruperez
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | - Barry Kosloff
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Petra de Haas
- KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Richard Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Gachie
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Albertus Schaap
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sian Floyd
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Eveline Klinkenberg
- KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands; Department of Global Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
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Clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with remdesivir: a retrospective analysis of a large tertiary care center in Germany. Infection 2023; 51:97-108. [PMID: 35553032 PMCID: PMC9098143 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01841-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The benefits of antiviral treatment with remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 remain controversial. Clinical analyses are needed to demonstrate which patient populations are most likely to benefit. METHODS In a retrospective monocentric analysis, patients with COVID-19 treated between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 at Hospital St. Georg, Leipzig, Germany were evaluated. The primary endpoint was time to clinical improvement, and the secondary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Propensity score matching was used for the endpoint analysis. RESULTS A total of 839 patients were fully evaluated, 68% of whom received specific COVID-19 drug therapy. Remdesivir was used in 31.3% of the patients, corticosteroids in 61.7%, and monoclonal antibodies in 2.3%. While dexamethasone administration was the most common therapeutic approach during the second pandemic wave, combination therapy with remdesivir and corticosteroids predominated during the third wave. Cox regression analysis revealed that combination therapy was not associated with faster clinical improvement (median: 13 days in both matched groups, HR 0.97 [95% CI 0.77-1.21], P = 0.762). By contrast, 28-day mortality was significantly lower in the corticosteroid-remdesivir group (14.8% versus 22.2% in the corticosteroid group, HR 0.60 [95% CI 0.39-0.95], P = 0.03) in the low-care setting. This effect was also demonstrated in a subgroup analysis of patients with remdesivir monotherapy (n = 44) versus standard of care (SOC). CONCLUSION In COVID-19 patients with only mild disease (low-flow oxygen therapy and treatment in a normal ward) who received corticosteroids and/or remdesivir in addition to SOC, early administration of remdesivir was associated with a measurable survival benefit.
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Mtafya B, Sabi I, John J, Sichone E, Olomi W, Gillespie SH, Ntinginya NE, Sabiiti W. Systematic assessment of clinical and bacteriological markers for tuberculosis reveals discordance and inaccuracy of symptom-based diagnosis for treatment response monitoring. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:992451. [DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.992451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundClinical symptoms are the benchmark of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response but are not clear how they relate to TB bacteriology, particularly the novel tuberculosis-molecular bacterial load assay (TB-MBLA).MethodsPresumptive cases were bacteriologically confirmed for TB and assessed for symptoms and bacteriological resolution using smear microscopy (SM), culture, and TB-MBLA over 6-month treatment course. Kaplan–Meier and Kappa statistics were used to test the relationship between symptoms and bacteriological positivity.ResultsA cohort of 46 bacteriologically confirmed TB cases were analyzed for treatment response over a 6-month treatment course. Pre-treatment symptoms and bacteriological positivity concurred in over 70% of the cases. This agreement was lost in over 50% of cases whose chest pain, night sweat, and loss of appetite had resolved by week 2 of treatment. Cough resolved at a 3.2% rate weekly and was 0.3% slower than the combined bacteriological (average of MGIT and TB-MBLA positivity) resolution rate, 3.5% per week. A decrease in TB-MBLA positivity reflected a fall in bacillary load, 5.7 ± 1.3- at baseline to 0.30 ± 1.0- log10 eCFU/ml at month 6, and closer to cough resolution than other bacteriological measures, accounting for the only one bacteriologically positive case out of seven still coughing at month 6. Low baseline bacillary load patients were more likely to be bacteriologically negative, HR 5.6, p = 0.003 and HR 3.2, p = 0.014 by months 2 and 6 of treatment, respectively.ConclusionThe probability of clinical symptoms reflecting bacteriological positivity weakens as the patient progresses on anti-TB therapy, making the symptom-based diagnosis a less reliable marker of treatment response.
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Deol AK, Shaikh N, Middelkoop K, Mohlamonyane M, White RG, McCreesh N. Importance of ventilation and occupancy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates in congregate settings. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1772. [PMID: 36123653 PMCID: PMC9483862 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14133-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventilation rates are a key determinant of the transmission rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions at locations where ventilation rates are low and occupancy high could be a highly effective intervention strategy. Despite this, few data are available on ventilation rates and occupancy in congregate locations in high tuberculosis burden settings. METHODS We collected carbon dioxide concentration and occupancy data in congregate locations and public transport on 88 occasions, in Cape Town, South Africa. For each location, we estimated ventilation rates and the relative rate of infection, accounting for ventilation rates and occupancy. RESULTS We show that the estimated potential transmission rate in congregate settings and public transport varies greatly between different settings. Overall, in the community we studied, estimated infection risk was higher in minibus taxis and trains than in salons, bars, and shops. Despite good levels of ventilation, infection risk could be high in the clinic due to high occupancy levels. CONCLUSION Public transport in particular may be promising targets for infection prevention and control interventions in this setting, both to reduce Mtb transmission, but also to reduce the transmission of other airborne pathogens such as measles and SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. K. Deol
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - N. Shaikh
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - K. Middelkoop
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M. Mohlamonyane
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - R. G. White
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - N. McCreesh
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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9
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McCreesh N, Karat AS, Govender I, Baisley K, Diaconu K, Yates TA, Houben RM, Kielmann K, Grant AD, White R. Estimating the contribution of transmission in primary healthcare clinics to community-wide TB disease incidence, and the impact of infection prevention and control interventions, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-007136. [PMID: 35396264 PMCID: PMC8995945 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission in healthcare facilities in high burden settings. WHO guidelines on tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control (IPC) recommend a range of measures to reduce transmission in healthcare settings. These were evaluated primarily based on evidence for their effects on transmission to healthcare workers in hospitals. To estimate the overall impact of IPC interventions, it is necessary to also consider their impact on community-wide TB incidence and mortality. METHODS We developed an individual-based model of Mtb transmission in households, primary healthcare (PHC) clinics, and all other congregate settings. The model was parameterised using data from a high HIV prevalence community in South Africa, including data on social contact by setting, by sex, age, and HIV/antiretroviral therapy status; and data on TB prevalence in clinic attendees and the general population. We estimated the proportion of disease in adults that resulted from transmission in PHC clinics, and the impact of a range of IPC interventions in clinics on community-wide TB. RESULTS We estimate that 7.6% (plausible range 3.9%-13.9%) of non-multidrug resistant and multidrug resistant TB in adults resulted directly from transmission in PHC clinics in the community in 2019. The proportion is higher in HIV-positive people, at 9.3% (4.8%-16.8%), compared with 5.3% (2.7%-10.1%) in HIV-negative people. We estimate that IPC interventions could reduce incident TB cases in the community in 2021-2030 by 3.4%-8.0%, and deaths by 3.0%-7.2%. CONCLUSIONS A non-trivial proportion of TB results from transmission in clinics in the study community, particularly in HIV-positive people. Implementing IPC interventions could lead to moderate reductions in disease burden. We recommend that IPC measures in clinics should be implemented for their benefits to staff and patients, but also for their likely effects on TB incidence and mortality in the surrounding community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Diaconu
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Tom A Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rein Mgj Houben
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Richard White
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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10
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Roya-Pabón C, Restrepo A, Morales O, Arango C, Maya MA, Bermúdez M, López L, Garcés C, Trujillo M, Carmona LF, Giraldo MR, Vélez LA, Rueda ZV. Acute Intrathoracic Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents with Community-Acquired Pneumonia in an Area with an Intermediate Disease Burden. Pediatr Rep 2022; 14:71-80. [PMID: 35225880 PMCID: PMC8883921 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric14010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) in the pediatric population is a major challenge. Our objective was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics, radiological patterns, and treatment outcomes of children and adolescents (from 1 month to 17 years) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by TB. We performed a prospective cohort study of a pediatric population between 1 month and 17 years of age and hospitalized in Medellín, Colombia, with the diagnosis of radiologically confirmed CAP that had ≤ 15 days of symptoms. The mycobacterial culture of induced sputum was used for the bacteriological confirmation; the history of TB contact, a tuberculin skin test, and clinical improvement with treatment were used to identify microbiologically negative TB cases. Among 499 children with CAP, TB was diagnosed in 12 (2.4%), of which 10 had less than 8 days of a cough, 10 had alveolar opacities, 9 were younger than 5 years old, and 2 had close contact with a TB patient. Among the TB cases, 50% (6) had microbiological confirmation, 8 had viral and/or bacterial confirmation, one patient had multidrug-resistant TB, and 10/12 had non-severe pneumonia. In countries with an intermediate TB burden, Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be included in the etiological differential diagnosis (as a cause or coinfection) of both pneumonia and severe CAP in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Roya-Pabón
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Departamento de Pediatría y Puericultura, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (C.R.-P.); (O.M.); (C.A.); (C.G.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Pima County Health Department, Tuberculosis Clinic, Tucson, AZ 85713, USA
| | - Andrea Restrepo
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (A.R.); (M.T.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad CES, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Olga Morales
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Departamento de Pediatría y Puericultura, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (C.R.-P.); (O.M.); (C.A.); (C.G.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Catalina Arango
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Departamento de Pediatría y Puericultura, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (C.R.-P.); (O.M.); (C.A.); (C.G.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - María Angélica Maya
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (M.A.M.); (L.A.V.)
| | - Marcela Bermúdez
- Grupo Investigador de Problemas en Enfermedades Infecciosas (GRIPE), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia;
| | - Lucelly López
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin 050031, Colombia;
| | - Carlos Garcés
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Departamento de Pediatría y Puericultura, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (C.R.-P.); (O.M.); (C.A.); (C.G.)
| | - Mónica Trujillo
- Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (A.R.); (M.T.)
- Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad CES, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Luisa Fernanda Carmona
- Secretaría Seccional de Salud y Protección Social de Antioquia, Gobernación de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (L.F.C.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Margarita Rosa Giraldo
- Secretaría Seccional de Salud y Protección Social de Antioquia, Gobernación de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (L.F.C.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Lázaro A. Vélez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (M.A.M.); (L.A.V.)
- Grupo Investigador de Problemas en Enfermedades Infecciosas (GRIPE), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia;
| | - Zulma Vanessa Rueda
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin 050031, Colombia;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-204-789-3678
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Karat AS, McCreesh N, Baisley K, Govender I, Kallon II, Kielmann K, MacGregor H, Vassall A, Yates TA, Grant AD. Estimating waiting times, patient flow, and waiting room occupancy density as part of tuberculosis infection prevention and control research in South African primary health care clinics. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000684. [PMID: 36962412 PMCID: PMC10021248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of respiratory pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is more likely during close, prolonged contact and when sharing a poorly ventilated space. Reducing overcrowding of health facilities is a recognised infection prevention and control (IPC) strategy; reliable estimates of waiting times and 'patient flow' would help guide implementation. As part of the Umoya omuhle study, we aimed to estimate clinic visit duration, time spent indoors versus outdoors, and occupancy density of waiting rooms in clinics in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Western Cape (WC), South Africa. We used unique barcodes to track attendees' movements in 11 clinics, multiple imputation to estimate missing arrival and departure times, and mixed-effects linear regression to examine associations with visit duration. 2,903 attendees were included. Median visit duration was 2 hours 36 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 01:36-3:43). Longer mean visit times were associated with being female (13.5 minutes longer than males; p<0.001) and attending with a baby (18.8 minutes longer than those without; p<0.01), and shorter mean times with later arrival (14.9 minutes shorter per hour after 0700; p<0.001). Overall, attendees spent more of their time indoors (median 95.6% [IQR 46-100]) than outdoors (2.5% [IQR 0-35]). Attendees at clinics with outdoor waiting areas spent a greater proportion (median 13.7% [IQR 1-75]) of their time outdoors. In two clinics in KZN (no appointment system), occupancy densities of ~2.0 persons/m2 were observed in smaller waiting rooms during busy periods. In one clinic in WC (appointment system, larger waiting areas), occupancy density did not exceed 1.0 persons/m2 despite higher overall attendance. In this study, longer waiting times were associated with early arrival, being female, and attending with a young child. Occupancy of waiting rooms varied substantially between rooms and over the clinic day. Light-touch estimation of occupancy density may help guide interventions to improve patient flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy Baisley
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Idriss I Kallon
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karina Kielmann
- The Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley MacGregor
- The Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Vassall
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A Yates
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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