ABSTRACT
The main focus of this review is the management of active and latent tuberculosis in pregnancy in industrialized countries. The review is geared towards the healthcare professional taking care of the obstetric patient. The epidemiology of active and latent tuberculosis in the USA and recommendations for the screening of tuberculosis in pregnancy are considered. The history of treatment methodology and its relationship to the current treatment of active and latent tuberculosis in pregnancy is reviewed, and finally, a discussion of the best time to treat latent tuberculosis in a pregnant patient is undertaken, along with thoughts on future changes and advances in this field.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/therapy , Adult , Animals , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Female , Humans , Mass Screening , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/microbiology , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/microbiology , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Currently, most cases of active tuberculosis in the United States are a result of activation of latent tuberculosis infection. In this article, the history of the epidemiology of tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection is reviewed. Previous and current recommendations for screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis during pregnancy and the postpartum period are discussed. A review of the literature regarding postpartum and antepartum treatment is included. Finally, the question of whether antepartum or postpartum treatment is the most beneficial is discussed.
