US Postarrival Evaluation of Immigrant and Refugee Children with Latent Tuberculosis Infection Diagnosed Overseas, 2007-2019

Tuberculosis in United States-Bound Follow-to-Join Asylees, 2014-2019

Persons may seek asylum in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry. Principal asylees are those who are granted asylum status. Their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may be granted asylum if accompanying, or following to join, the principal asylees. U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees must undergo an overseas medical examination that includes tuberculosis (TB) screening. Culture-based overseas TB screening in U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees has not been evaluated. We evaluated data from overseas TB screening in 19,088 arrivals of follow-to-join asylees during 2014-2019 and assessed data from their postarrival evaluation, which is recommended for those at risk for TB. Of 19,088 arrivals of follow-to-join asylees, 29 (152 cases/100,000 persons) met criteria for class B0 TB (recent completion of TB treatment overseas) and 340 (1,781 cases/100,000 persons) met criteria for class B1 pulmonary TB (chest radiograph/clinical symptoms suggestive of TB but negative sputum cultures overseas). Of 6,847 persons aged 2 to 14 years from countries with a WHO-estimated TB incidence of ≥20 cases/100,000 population/year, 408 (6.0%) were classified as class B2 latent TB infection (LTBI). Postarrival evaluations were completed in 44.8%, 51.5%, and 40.4% of persons with class B0 TB, class B1 TB, and class B2 LTBI, respectively. In conclusion, culture-based overseas TB screening in U.S.-bound follow-to-join asylees is effective in identifying those with TB (class B0 TB) or those at risk for TB (class B1 TB and class B2 LTBI). Completion of postarrival evaluation for newly arrived follow-to-join asylees was less frequent than that reported for immigrants and refugees.

Childhood tuberculosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We discuss the most recent literature to support the identification of children at risk for tuberculosis and optimal testing and treatment strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

The identification and management of children with tuberculosis has increased in complexity due to the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) pandemic, greater use of immunosuppressive agents, and the administration of shorter, rifamycin-containing treatment regimens. Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in children include: use of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs); molecular-based tests; and shorter courses of treatment. While the essential steps to identify and treat children at risk for tuberculosis remain unchanged, providers must be aware of impact of these challenges.

SUMMARY

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will likely have a negative impact on global tuberculosis control. It is important that countries maintain a comprehensive approach to the identification and management of children at risk for tuberculosis. Increasing evidence supports enhanced utilization of IGRAs and molecular-based testing to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Shorter course, rifamycin-based treatment regimens are available to treat children with tuberculosis infection; however, their use is limited in some immunosuppressed children due to drug-drug interactions.

The cascade of care in tuberculosis infection screening and management in newly arrived refugees in Aarhus, Denmark

BACKGROUND

Screening for tuberculosis (TB) disease and infection is often a part of health screening programs offered to refugees, but the yield of screening varies and losses along the steps from screening to treatment completion was reported.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed investigating a newly arrived refugee population offered a systematic refugee health assessment in Aarhus, Denmark. Data was collected on screening, referral, diagnosis and treatment for TB disease and infection.

RESULTS

Among both adults and children IGRA positivity was associated with origin in a high TB incidence country and increasing age. The number needed to screen (NNS) to find one case of TB infection was 7 among adult refugees and 19 among children, while NNS for TB disease was 266 and 164 respectively. The proportion of the eligible population with a valid result was 78.1% for adults and 71.3% for children, while 43.1% and 50% of adults and children with presumed TB infection completed preventive treatment.

DISCUSSION

Screening for TB disease and infection among refugees in Aarhus had a high yield in terms of diagnosis, however significant losses were seen during screening, follow-up and preventive treatment completion.

Non-Coding RNAs in Tuberculosis Epidemiology: Platforms and Approaches for Investigating the Genome's Dark Matter

A growing amount of information about the different types, functions, and roles played by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is becoming available, as more and more research is done. ncRNAs have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), because they may be essential regulators of the gene network. ncRNA profiling and sequencing has recently revealed significant dysregulation in tuberculosis, primarily due to aberrant processes of ncRNA synthesis, including amplification, deletion, improper epigenetic regulation, or abnormal transcription. Despite the fact that ncRNAs may have a role in TB characteristics, the detailed mechanisms behind these occurrences are still unknown. The dark matter of the genome can only be explored through the development of cutting-edge bioinformatics and molecular technologies. In this review, ncRNAs' synthesis and functions are discussed in detail, with an emphasis on the potential role of ncRNAs in tuberculosis. We also focus on current platforms, experimental strategies, and computational analyses to explore ncRNAs in TB. Finally, a viewpoint is presented on the key challenges and novel techniques for the future and for a wide-ranging therapeutic application of ncRNAs.