A model for bringing TB expertise to HIV providers: Medical consultations to the CDC-funded Regional Tuberculosis Training and Medical Consultation Centers, 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at a greater risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) compared to people without HIV and of developing complications due to the complexity of TB/HIV coinfection management. METHODS: During 2013-2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded 5 TB Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers (RTMCCs) (now known as TB Centers of Excellence or COEs) to provide medical consultation to providers for TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI), with data entered into a Medical Consultation Database (MCD). Descriptive analyses of TB/HIV-related consultations were conducted using SAS® software, version [9.4] to determine the distribution of year of consultation, medical setting and provider type, frequency of consultations regarding a pediatric (<18 years) patient, and to categorize key concepts and themes arising within consultation queries and medical consultant responses. RESULTS: Of 14,586 consultations captured by the MCD in 2013-2017, 544 (4%) were categorized as TB/HIV-related, with 100 (18%) received in 2013, 129 (24%) in 2014, 104 (19%) in 2015, 117 (22%) in 2016, and 94 (17%) in 2017. Most TB/HIV consultations came from nurses (54%) or physicians (43%) and from local (65%) or state health departments (10%). Only 17 (3%) of HIV-related consultations involved pediatric cases. Off the 544 TB/HIV consultations, 347 (64%) concerned the appropriate treatment regimen for TB/HIV or LTBI/HIV for a patient on or not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). CONCLUSIONS: The data support a clear and ongoing gap in areas of specialized HIV knowledge by TB experts that could be supplemented with proactive educational outreach. The specific categories of TB/HIV inquiries captured by this analysis are strategically informing future targeted training and educational activities planned by the CDC TB Centers of Excellence, as well as guiding HIV educational efforts at regional and national TB meetings.

Tuberculosis in the United States: Medical Consultation Services Provided by 5 Tuberculosis Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers, 2013-2017.

With only 9105 new US tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in 2017, expert consultation is essential for TB care. Data were captured 2013-2017 from consultations by 5 CDC-funded centers, now the TB Centers of Excellence (COEs). 14 586 consultations were provided to TB providers, most related to TB disease and treatment regimens.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection Beliefs and Testing and Treatment Health Behaviors Amongst Non-US-Born South Asians in New Jersey: A Cross-Sectional Community Survey.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remains a problem in the United States as reactivation leads to active TB disease particularly in persons with risk factors. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and health behaviors related to testing and treatment of LTBI among non-US-born South Asians (SA) in New Jersey (NJ). A cross-sectional, community-based survey was the primary tool for gathering data. Eligibility criteria included being at least 18 years of age, self-identifying as SA, verbal consent for participation, and birth in a high TB endemic country. A hardcopy survey was distributed at local South Asian health fairs. The survey included questions about demographics, knowledge, beliefs on TB, and health behaviors (testing and treatment). Descriptive statistics were performed for all survey responses. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association of characteristics/beliefs and study outcomes. The survey sample size included 387 respondents. A total of 197 (54%) of respondents reported ever been tested for TB. Those who were tested for TB were generally younger, had higher educational levels, higher household incomes, and were more likely to have health insurance than those not ever tested for TB. Significantly more respondents who self-reported ever been tested for TB believed that TB was very or extremely serious (71.1% vs. 56.2%, p = 0.004). Also, significantly more respondents who self-reported ever been tested for TB believed that it was important to get tested (91.2% vs. 63.3%, p < 0.001). The survey analysis concluded that high-risk SA residents in NJ demonstrated a low rate of testing for TB.

The uncertainty, challenges, and variability in tuberculosis congregate setting investigations: The concentric circle model revisited.

In the United States tuberculosis programs routinely conduct congregate setting contact investigations in locations such as schools, workplaces, social/recreational sites, nursing homes and prisons. Both documented and anecdotal reports describing these investigations have indicated, in many cases, the unnecessary testing of large numbers of individuals. This article revisits the concentric circle model and its application in congregate setting investigations. In its simplest form this model, despite imperfections, offers tuberculosis programs an opportunity to utilize this approach as a secondary tool to assist in the identification of contacts at both the highest and lowest level of risk due to exposure based on time and place to an infectious or potentially infectious patient. The methodology described here offers a prudent and viable alternative to not allowing a congregate setting investigation to be viewed as a general screening activity where excessive numbers of individuals are needlessly tested.

The paradigm shift to end tuberculosis. Are we ready to assume the changes?

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is the number one infectious disease killer and exemplifies the most neglected of them. Drug-susceptible TB presents with high mortality especially in atypical forms, disproportionally affecting immunosuppressed and vulnerable populations. The drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) epidemic, a world crisis, is sustained and increased through person-to-person transmission in households and the community. TB diagnostics and treatment in recent years are highly evolving fields. New rapid molecular tests are changing the perspectives in diagnosis and resistance screening. Also, new drugs and shorter regimens for DR-TB are appearing. For the first time in recent history, a large number of randomized control trials are incoming. Areas covered: This article reviews most TB advances including new diagnostic tests, drugs, and regimens and outlines upcoming drug trials while disclosing the potential gaps the in development of patient-centered systems and current organizational challenges leading to a delay in the uptake of these innovations. Expert commentary: Innovations are occurring, but not many are implemented on a wide scale in developing countries. TB health systems and staff are not getting updated in parallel. More efforts and funds are needed not only to implement current novelties but also to research for future solutions to eliminate TB.