Challenges and opportunities to prevent tuberculosis in people living with HIV in low-income countries

People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV) are at high risk for tuberculosis (TB), and TB is a major cause of death in PLHIV. Preventing TB in PLHIV is therefore a key priority. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic PLHIV has a potent TB preventive effect, with even more benefits in those with advanced immunodeficiency. Applying the most recent World Health Organization recommendations that all PLHIV initiate ART regardless of clinical stage or CD4 cell count could provide a considerable TB preventive benefit at the population level in high HIV prevalence settings. Preventive therapy can treat tuberculous infection and prevent new infections during the course of treatment. It is now established that isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) combined with ART among PLHIV significantly reduces the risk of TB and mortality compared with ART alone, and therefore has huge potential benefits for millions of sufferers. However, despite the evidence, this intervention is not implemented in most low-income countries with high burdens of HIV-associated TB. HIV and TB programme commitment, integration of services, appropriate screening procedures for excluding active TB, reliable drug supplies, patient-centred support to ensure adherence and well-organised follow-up and monitoring that includes drug safety are needed for successful implementation of IPT, and these features would also be needed for future shorter preventive regimens. A holistic approach to TB prevention in PLHIV should also include other important preventive measures, such as the detection and treatment of active TB, particularly among contacts of PLHIV, and control measures for tuberculous infection in health facilities, the homes of index patients and congregate settings.

Decentralisation of child tuberculosis services increases case finding and uptake of preventive therapy in Uganda

BACKGROUND

A lack of capacity to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) in children at peripheral health facilities and limited contact screening and management contribute to low case finding in TB-endemic settings.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the implementation of a pilot project that strengthened diagnosis, treatment and prevention of child TB at peripheral health facilities in Uganda.

METHODS

In June 2015, health care workers at peripheral health facilities were trained to diagnose and treat child TB. Community health care workers were trained to screen household TB contacts. Before-and-after analysis as well as comparisons with non-intervention districts were used to evaluate impact on caseload and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

By December 2016, the average number of children (age < 15 years) diagnosed with TB increased from 45 to 108 per quarter. The proportion of child TB among all TB cases increased from 8.8% to 15%, and the proportion completing treatment increased from 65% to 82%. Of 2270 child TB contacts screened, 55 (2.4%) were diagnosed with TB. Of 910 eligible child contacts, 670 (74%) started preventive therapy, 569 (85%) of whom completed therapy.

CONCLUSION

The strengthening of child TB services at peripheral health facilities in Uganda was associated with increased case finding, improved treatment outcomes and the successful implementation of contact screening and management.