Mortality and risk of tuberculosis among people living with HIV in whom TB was initially ruled out

Tuberculosis (TB) misdiagnosis remains a public health concern, especially among people living with HIV (PLHIV), given the high mortality associated with missed TB diagnoses. The main objective of this study was to describe the all-cause mortality, TB incidence rates and their associated risk factors in a cohort of PLHIV with presumptive TB in whom TB was initially ruled out. We retrospectively followed a cohort of PLHIV with presumptive TB over a 2 year-period in a rural district in Southern Mozambique. During the study period 382 PLHIV were followed-up. Mortality rate was 6.8/100 person-years (PYs) (95% CI 5.2-9.2) and TB incidence rate was 5.4/100 PYs (95% CI 3.9-7.5). Thirty-six percent of deaths and 43% of TB incident cases occurred in the first 12 months of the follow up. Mortality and TB incidence rates in the 2-year period after TB was initially ruled out was very high. The TB diagnostic work-up and linkage to HIV care should be strengthened to decrease TB burden and all-cause mortality among PLHIV with presumptive TB.

Adherence to Childhood Tuberculosis Treatment in Mozambique

BACKGROUND

There is limited literature regarding adherence rates for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in children. We aimed to describe TB treatment outcomes and adherence as well as to evaluate associated factors to poor adherence in Mozambican children.

METHODS

This is a sub-study of a community TB incidence study among children <3 years of age. Incomplete adherence included the sum of lost-to-follow-up cases plus those with a delay of > 3 weeks to treatment completion.

RESULTS

Fifty TB treatments were assessed. Forty-four (88.0%) patients completed treatment, two (4.0%) died during treatment and four (8.0%) were lost to follow-up. Incomplete adherence was observed in 31.3% (15 of 48) of cases and was associated with malnutrition or history of a migrant mother.

CONCLUSION

Although treatment outcome is overall good, there is still a significant proportion of incomplete adherence. Further larger paediatric TB cohorts and qualitative approaches are needed to assess and confirm potential factors for non-adherence.

[Vaccination in the prison population: a review]

From the first day in prison, convicts are exposed to several types of diseases, many of which can be prevented by vaccination. During captivity, the risk of acquiring these types of diseases is known to be higher than outside prison. This increased risk can be explained by structural and logistical factors in prison, as well as by acquired behaviour before and during captivity. Furthermore, for many prisoners captivity is an opportunity to access the health care system and therefore a chance to update their adult vaccination status. The traditional concept suggesting that prisons are primarily designed to ensure public safety should be complemented by this aspect of health, which is a broader approach to public safety.