Community Caregivers’ Experiences and Programmatic Strategies to Improve Active Case Finding in Community Tuberculosis Care in Botswana 2016-2021

Background: The community tuberculosis care program was started to reduce the impact of TB and increase successful treatment outcomes, thus contributing to meeting WHO targets on TB. According to the Botswana Ministry of Health, community tuberculosis care was introduced with the main goal of reducing tuberculosis-related morbidity and mortality among communities through the expansion of direct observed therapy and community involvement to community settings. The community caregivers were to support tuberculosis patients throughout their treatment period until they were cured or had completed their treatment. Settings: Two major cities of Botswana, Francistown and Gaborone, with more than twenty-two health clinics offering tuberculosis care. Objective: To investigate community caregivers’ experiences and identify programmatic strategies to improve active TB case findings under the community TB care (CTBC) program in Botswana during 2016-2021. Methods: We adopted a descriptive qualitative research design, followed by convenience purposive sampling. We obtained consent and interviewed 40 participants who met the inclusion criteria, 16 out of 73 in Gaborone and 24 out of 38 from Francistown. Results: We interviewed 40 caregivers with a mean age of 43.4 years. Accepting the caregiving role was identified as the main experience by more than two thirds of the caregivers. While at least more than two-fifth felt obligated to care for the patient at home due to personal relations. More than half of the respondents found caregiving difficult or frustrating due to some challenges encountered during the caregiving role. Behavioral modifications were suggested under different subthemes as strategies to improve active case finding. [-rId13-]Conclusion: Acceptance was the major experience in CTBC. Intensification of known programmatic strategies was suggested by caregivers to improve tuberculosis active case finding in CTBC.

Perianal tuberculous ulcer with active pulmonary,intestinal and orificial tuberculosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Orificial tuberculosis is a rare type of tuberculosis,which is easy to be misdiagnosed,and can cause great damage to the perianal skin and mucosa.Early diagnosis can avoid further erosion of the perianal muscle tissue by tuberculosis bacteria.CASE SUMMARY Here,we report a case of disseminated tuberculosis in a 62-year-old male patient with a perianal tuberculous ulcer and active pulmonary tuberculosis,intestinal tuberculosis and orificial tuberculosis.This is an extremely rare case of cutaneous tuberculosis of the anus,which was misdiagnosed for nearly a year.The patient received conventional treatment in other medical institutions,but specific treatment was delayed.Ultimately,proper diagnosis and treatment with standard anti-tuberculosis drugs for one year led to complete cure.CONCLUSION For skin ulcers that do not heal with repeated conventional treatments,consider ulcers caused by rare bacteria,such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Organizing pneumonia secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Organizing pneumonia secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis is rare.Moreover,the temporal boundary between pulmonary tuberculosis and secondary organizing pneumonia has not been defined.We report a case of secondary organizing pneumonia associated with pulmonary tuberculosis occurring after nine months of antituberculosis treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 54 years old man,previously diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy,underwent nine months of antituberculosis treatment.Follow-up lung computed tomography revealed multiple new subpleural groundglass opacities in both lungs,and a lung biopsy confirmed organizing pneumonia.Treatment continued with anti-tuberculosis agents and hormone therapy,and subsequent dynamic pulmonary computed tomography exams demonstrated improvement in lesion absorption.No disease recurrence was observed after corticosteroid therapy discontinuation.CONCLUSION When treating patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis,if an increase in lesions is observed during anti-tuberculosis treatment,it is necessary to consider the possibility of tuberculosis-related secondary organizing pneumonia,timely lung biopsy is essential for early intervention.

Carrimycin in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia combined with pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)is prevalent in immunocompromised populations,including patients with hematologic malignancies,human immunodeficiency virus infections,and chronic diseases.Effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)combined with PTB is lacking.These patients show an extremely poor prognosis.Therefore,studies should establish efficient treatment options to improve patient survival and prognosis.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male with pain in the right side of his chest and a fever for 4 d visited the outpatient department of our hospital.Peripheral blood smear revealed 54%blasts.Following bone marrow examinations,variant APL with TNRC18-RARA fusion gene was diagnosed.Chest computed tomography scan showed bilateral pneumonitis with bilateral pleural effusions,partial atelectasis in the lower lobes of both lungs,and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid gene X-Pert test was positive,indicative of PTB.Carrimycin,ethambutol(EMB),and isoniazid(INH)were administered since he could not receive chemotherapy as the WBC count decreased continuously.After one week of treatment with carrimycin,the patient recovered from fever and received chemotherapy.Chemotherapy was very effective and his white blood cells counts got back to normal.After being given five months with rifampin,EMB and INH and chemotherapy,the patient showed complete remission from pneumonia and APL.CONCLUSION We report a case of PTB treated successfully with carrimycin with APL that requires chemotherapy.

Active Case Finding of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Prison Inmates in Aba Federal Prison, Abia State, Nigeria

Background: Conditions in prisons favour rapid transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and progression to tuberculosis (TB) disease, resulting in higher prevalence rates of TB in prisons than in the corresponding general population. However, in many developing countries with high TB burden, passive case-finding remains the usual approach to case detection of TB in prisons. On this premise, the Abia State TB Control Programme conducted a pilot study to assess the contribution of active case finding to tuberculosis control in Aba Federal Prison. Methods: The inmates were clinically screened and those with symptoms suggestive of TB cases were tested by sputum smear microscopy. Results: Out of the total number of 477 prison inmates present in the prison at the time of study, 449 (94.1%) were clinically screened for history of cough of 2 weeks’ duration;52 (10.42%) met the inclusion criteria for sputum smear microscopy. Eleven of the 52 (21.15%) tested for acid fast bacilli (AFB) by direct smear light microscopy were positive for AFB. One inmate was on anti-tuberculosis therapy;this with the 11 cases detected in the course of this study gave a total of 12 inmates of Aba prison with active pulmonary tuberculosis at the time of this study. This gives a minimum point prevalence rate of 2405 cases per 100,000 prison inmates. Four of the 11 prison cells had at least one smear positive case with 7 of the 11 cases concentrated in two cells. The age group of 25 - 34 years had the highest number of sputum positive cases. Conclusion: Active case-finding resulted in detection of 11 new cases of sputum positive tuberculosis (an increase in detection rate of 1100%) and the prevalence of sputum positive TB is very high (2405 cases per 100,000 prison inmates) in Aba prison. There is an urgent need to institute more effective TB case-finding and control in the prison.

Pancytopenia and Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Background: Hematopoietic system is seriously affected by tuberculosis. It exerts a dazzling variety of hematological effects involving both cell lines and plasma components [1]. Anemia and leukopenia are not unusual with tuberculosis (TB), but pancytopenia is rare [2]. Findings: In this report, we described a case of a 42 years man presenting bleeding and pancytopenia;bacteriological pulmonary TB was established by genotypic rapid test and treatment following the WHO guidelines on drug-sensitive TB treatment. Patient recovered entirely with the WHO recommended regimen associated with general and local treatment of the bleeding. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the importance of always suspecting tuberculosis in a tuberculosis-endemic area, even when the clinical manifestations are atypical, like pancytopenia and also of properly investigating the differential diagnosis. Even though prognosis seems to be less good, actual treatment regimen is still effective.

Prolonged use of bedaquiline in two patients with pulmonary extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Bedaquiline is among the prioritized drugs recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis(XDRTB).Many patients have not achieved better clinical improvement after bedaquiline is stopped at 24 wk.However,there is no recommendation or guideline on bedaquiline administration beyond 24 wk,which is an important consideration when balancing the benefit of prognosis for XDR-TB against the uncertain safety concerning the newer antibiotics.CASE SUMMARY This paper reported 2 patients with XDR-TB(a female of 58 years of age and a female of 18 years of age)who received bedaquiline for 36 wk,as local experience to be shared.The 2 cases had negative cultures after 24 wk of treatment,but lung imaging was still positive.After discussion among experts,the consensus was made to bedaquiline prolongation by another 12 wk.The 36-wk prolonged use of bedaquiline in both cases achieved a favorable response without increasing the risk of cardiac events or new safety signals.CONCLUSION Longer regimen,including 36-wk bedaquiline treatment,might be an option for patients with XDR-TB.More studies are needed to explore the effectiveness and safety of prolonged use of bedaquiline for 36 wk vs standard 24 wk in the treatment of multidrug-resistant/XDR-TB or to investigate further the biomarkers and criteria indicative for extension of bedaquline to facilitate clinical use of thisnovel drug.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis complicated with tuberculosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis(PAP)is a rare lung disease characterized by the accumulation of phospholipoproteinaceous material in the alveoli.Cases of PAP complicated with tuberculosis are much more complex and have rarely been well recorded.CASE SUMMARY We describe a 21-year-old Han Chinese patient with suspicious lung infection associated with mild restrictive ventilatory dysfunction and diffusion reduction.High resolution computed tomography revealed a“crazy-paving”appearance and multiple pulmonary miliary nodules around the bronchi.Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated a small amount of periodic acid-Schiff positive proteinaceous materials.A serological test for the presence of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody and an interferon-gamma release assay were both positive.The patient received a standard course of first-line anti-tuberculosis treatment after diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage.To date,clinical remission has been achieved and maintained for five years.CONCLUSION In summary,the diagnosis of PAP complicated with tuberculosis was supported by a combination of clinical manifestations,imaging,pulmonary function,laboratory examinations,bronchoalveolar lavage,etc.This case highlighted that diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage in combination with anti-tuberculosis treatment is a safe and effective option for mild PAP patients with tuberculosis.

Risk of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients with Coal Workers'Pneumoconiosis:A Case-control Study in China

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between occupational, environmental, behavioral risk factors, and active pulmonary tuberculosis（PTB） among coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis（CWP） patients. A matched case-control study was conducted in 86 CWP patients with active PTB and 86 CWP controls without TB. A standardized questionnaire was used for risk factors assessment. Conditioned logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between the risk factors and active PTB among CWP patients. The results showed that the stage of CWP, poor workplace ventilation, family history of TB, and exposure to TB were independent risk factors for active PTB in patients with CWP with which recommendations for improving work environments, and for case finding activities in patients with CWP could be made.

Boarding issue in a commercial flight for patients with cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated that airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) to other passengers or crew members can occur during long flights. As such, non-infectious TB patients are usually allowed to undertake air travel after taking the appropriate anti-TB drugs. However, the global guidelines for air travel for patients with TB are inconsistent and insufficiently detailed with respect to cavitary pulmonary TB(CPTB).CASE SUMMARY Here, we report a case in which a patient with multiple CPTB was permitted air travel, following negative sputum acid-fast bacilli smear tests after administration of proper anti-TB medication. The patient’s culture results were pending.CONCLUSION This case revealed that more specific guidelines regulating air travel for patients with CPTB are necessary.

Effect of Case Management Nursing Service on Compliance Behavior and Quality of Life of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective:To explore the effect of case management nursing service on compliance behavior and quality of life of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:69 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in our hospital from September 2019 to August 2020 were selected as the research objects.The 69 patients were divided into study group(35 cases)and control group(34 cases).The compliance behavior,quality of life and nursing satisfaction of pulmonary tuberculosis patients were studied and analyzed.Results:The compliance rate of the control group was 82.35%,and that of the study group was 97.14%;The quality of life in the control group was[61.32±7.66],which was significantly lower than that in the study group[71.12±7.23];The satisfaction rate of the study group was 97.14%,which was significantly higher than 73.53%of the control group.Conclusion:In the treatment of tuberculosis patients,the use of case management nursing service can effectively improve the quality of life of patients,improve the compliance behavior of patients,and improve the treatment effect of patients,which is worthy of promotion.

Isolated gallbladder tuberculosis mimicking acute cholecystitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Isolated tuberculosis of the gallbladder is extremely rare due to its intrinsic resistance to tuberculous infections.There are reports of gallbladder tuberculosis mimicking cholecystitis or malignancy.However,these presentations were chronic.The diagnosis of gallbladder tuberculosis warrants the need for investigation of additional sites of inoculation and contact tracing of all tuberculosis contacts.Gallbladder tuberculosis is a rare entity but should be suspected in patients from endemic regions with risk factors such as underlying immunosuppression or history of tuberculosis.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of gallbladder tuberculosis presenting as acute cholecystitis.A 44-year-old Filipino lady presented with a 11-d history of right hypochondrium and epigastric pain which worsened after meals with no significant past medical history.She underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the presumptive diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and diagnosed as gallbladder tuberculosis after histopathological examination.The patient did not have features of pulmonary or systemic tuberculosis nor was she immunocompromised.She recovered uneventfully.She was subsequently discharged and followed-up at a hospital in her home country due to financial and social reasons.CONCLUSION Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for patients in endemic regions presenting with cholecystitis.

Tuberculosis in Children Living amongst Adults with Tuberculosis at the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Hospital, Eku, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (tb) causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Nigeria, the exact prevalence is not known but a progressive increase of the disease has been observed, with “epidemic states” reported in certain clusters. Even with the newer diagnostic tests for tb, diagnostic difficulties still occur. As a result, several diagnostic criteria have been adopted to aid the diagnosis of tuberculosis in these children. The main objective of this study was to identify Tb in children who were either living with adults who have Tb or in the environment of adults with Tb. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in Eku and Oria communities in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. Eku housed the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Hospital where adults with tb were admitted in the first two months of their treatment. 128 children under 19 years of age were studied over a 3-month period. After obtaining relevant information from every child, a full physical examination and certain laboratory investigations were done. Results: There were 68 males and 60 females. The prevalence of Tb was 68% in those children living among adults with tb within the hospital and 50.6% in those living in the environment or community (p = 0.05). The prevalence of Tb in Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) immunized children was 66.2% as against 46.7% in those not vaccinated. Twenty-six of the infected children (57.8%) had only pulmonary disease while 45.7% had affectation of 2 or more organs. The positive predictive values of elevated erythrocyte sedimented rate (ESR), elevated white blood cells (WBC) count and positive gastric aspirates (GA) in diagnosing tb were 60.3%, 70.5% and 0% respectively, while that of abnormal chest X-ray (CXR) and positive Mantoux reaction were 93.6% and 93.7% respectively. Conclusion: The alarming prevalence of tb in these children was not surprising considering their contacts with the tb patients and was representative of similar high incidence areas as a whole. Active case finding efforts should be intensified for childhood contacts of adults with Tb for early identification of children with tuberculosis.

Asymptomatic Screening of Clients on Opioid Substitution Therapy for Tuberculosis: An Experience from India

Clients on Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) may be at risk of TB. We screened for tuberculosis in asymptomatic OST clients using Chest-X-ray (CXR) and sputum from those with CXR suggestive of TB were tested using Xpert MTB/Rif. Among 472 who underwent CXR, 0.1% had CXR suggestive of TB. The number needed to screen was 118 clients for one CXR suggestive of TB. All four clients with CXR suggestive of TB underwent MTB/Rif assay and one was diagnosed with TB. The TB patient was asymptomatic and could have been missed through the passive approach. We recommend further studies to explore ACF among OST clients.

Role of community-based active case finding in screening tuberculosis in Yunnan province of China

Background:The barriers to access diagnosis and receive treatment,in addition to insufficient case identification and reporting,lead to tuberculosis(TB)spreads in communities,especially among hard-to-reach populations.This study evaluated a community-based active case finding(ACF)strategy for the detection of tuberculosis cases among high-risk groups and general population in China between 2013 and 2015.Methods:This retrospective cohort study conducted an ACF in ten communities of Dongchuan County,located in northeast Yunnan Province between 2013 and 2015;and compared to 136 communities that had passive case finding(PCF).The algorithm for ACF was:1)screen for TB symptoms among community enrolled residents by home visits,2)those with positive symptoms along with defined high-risk groups underwent chest X-ray(CXR),followed by sputum microscopy confirmation.TB incidence proportion and the number needed to screen(NNS)to detect one case were calculated to evaluate the ACF strategy compared to PCF,chi-square test was applied to compare the incidence proportion of TB cases'demography and the characteristics for detected cases under different strategies.Thereafter,the incidence rate ratio(IRR)and multiple Fisher's exact test were applied to compare the incidence proportion between general population and high-risk groups.Patient and diagnostic delays for ACF and PCF were compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test.Results:A total of 97521 enrolled residents were visited with the ACF cumulatively,12.3%were defined as highrisk groups or had TB symptoms.Sixty-six new TB patients were detected by ACF.There was no significant difference between the cumulative TB incidence proportion for ACF(67.7/100000 population)and the prevalence for PCF(62.6/100000 population)during 2013 to 2015,though the incidence proportion in ACF communities decreased after three rounds active screening,concurrent with the remained stable prevalence in PCF communities.The cumulative NNS were 34,39 and 29 in HIV/AIDS infected individuals,people with positive TB symptoms and history of previous TB,respectively,compared to 1478 in the general population.The median patient delay under ACF was 1 day(Interquartile range,IQR:0-27)compared to PCF with 30 days(IQR:14-61).Conclusions:This study confirmed that massive ACF was not effective in general population in a moderate TB prevalence setting.The priority should be the definition and targeting of high-risk groups in the community before the screening process is launched.The shorter time interval of ACF between TB symptoms onset and linkage to healthcare service may decrease the risk of TB community transmission.Furthermore,integrated ACF strategy in the National Project of Basic Public Health Service may have long term public health impact.

The role of active case finding in reducing patient incurred catastrophic costs for tuberculosis in Nepal

Background:The World Health Organization(WHO)End TB Strategy has established a milestone to reduce the number of tuberculosis(TB)-affected households facing catastrophic costs to zero by 2020.The role of active case finding(ACF)in reducing patient costs has not been determined globally.This study therefore aimed to compare costs incurred by TB patients diagnosed through ACF and passive case finding(PCF),and to determine the prevalence and intensity of patient-incurred catastrophic costs in Nepal.Methods:The study was conducted in two districts of Nepal:Bardiya and Pyuthan(Province No.5)between June and August 2018.One hundred patients were included in this study in a 1:1 ratio(PCF:ACF,25 consecutive ACF and 25 consecutive PCF patients in each district).The WHO TB patient costing tool was applied to collect information from patients or a member of their family regarding indirect and direct medical and non-medical costs.Catastrophic costs were calculated based on the proportion of patients with total costs exceeding 20%of their annual household income.The intensity of catastrophic costs was calculated using the positive overshoot method.The chi-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare proportions and costs.Meanwhile,the Mantel Haenszel test was performed to assess the association between catastrophic costs and type of diagnosis.Results:Ninety-nine patients were interviewed(50 ACF and 49 PCF).Patients diagnosed through ACF incurred lower costs during the pre-treatment period(direct medical:USD 14 vs USD 32,P=0.001;direct non-medical:USD 3 vs USD 10,P=0.004;indirect,time loss:USD 4 vs USD 13,P<0.001).The cost of the pre-treatment and intensive phases combined was also lower for direct medical(USD 15 vs USD 34,P=0.002)and non-medical(USD 30 vs USD 54,P=0.022)costs among ACF patients.The prevalence of catastrophic direct costs was lower for ACF patients for all thresholds.A lower intensity of catastrophic costs was also documented for ACF patients,although the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions:ACF can reduce patient-incurred costs substantially,contributing to the End TB Strategy target.Other synergistic policies,such as social protection,will also need to be implemented to reduce catastrophic costs to zero among TB-affected households.

Imaging findings of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma with secondary distant metastases:A case report

BACKGROUND Synovial sarcoma(SS)accounting for 6%-10%of primary soft tissue malignancies mainly occurs in deep soft tissue adjacent to joints of the limbs.Primary pulmonary SS(PPSS)is rare and has a poor prognosis.Cases of secondary distant metastases of PPSS occur rarely and there is a lack of corresponding imaging reports.We summarized the imaging findings of PPSS with multiple metastases confirmed by surgery and pathology,and shared valuable information on PPSS.CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old female patient had a solid space occupying lesion in the right upper lobe of the lung.The results of a hemogram,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)and tumor markers were all within the normal range,tuberculin skin test(5 TU PPD)was negative(-).Chest computed tomography examination showed similar round soft tissue density in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe.Thoracoscopic-assisted wedge resection of the right upper lobe of the lung,right upper lobe resection and lymph node dissection were performed.Nine months after surgery,ultrasound examination showed multiple metastases on the chest wall and kidney.CONCLUSION PPSS is a rare malignant lung tumor with strong invasiveness,early distant metastasis and poor prognosis.There are very few imaging reports.PPSS is often manifested as irregular tumor and calcification,and the metastases have extremely low echo on ultrasonography.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound indicates that the arterial phase of tumor metastases shows rapid centripetal high enhancement,manifested as“fast forward and fast regression”.

Computed tomography in predicting smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients

Background The correct diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients is very important to their therapy. We aimed to assess the value of the computed tomography （CT） and clinical findings in predicting smear- negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients. Methods A total of 121 AIDS patients suspected of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis by clinical and radiographic findings were recruited. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 57 （47.1%） patients. The CT and clinical predictors were selected to diagnose AIDS-related pulmonary tuberculosis through univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis. Results Multivariate analysis showed that five variables, including weight loss, presence of miliary nodules, necrotic lymph node, Iobular consolidation, tree-in-bud sign, were independent predictors of pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients. Predicted scores based on the five variables were used to identify pulmonary tuberculosis. If the predicted score of 3 was taken as the ideal cut-off point in the diagnosis of AIDS-related smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 84.2%, 81.2%, 80.0%, 85.2%, and 82.6%, respectively. Conclusion The prediction method based on five key factors of clinical and CT findings are useful in guiding the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients.

Implementation of the Active TB Case Finding in Nigeria;Processes, Lessons Learnt and Recommendations

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a major public health issue in Nigeria with the country ranking seventh among the 30 high TB burden countries. Nigeria is among the three countries that account for half of the 4.3 million “missing” TB cases globally. One untreated TB case is able to infect about 10 - 20 people annually. Hence, it is pertinent that TB is controlled effectively through the use of active case finding strategies to find the missing TB cases. Objective: This article highlights the best practices and key lessons learnt during the implementation of the active house to house TB case finding strategy in Nigeria. Lessons Learnt and Recommendations: Strategic community engagement, massive awareness creation using mass media and local means of communication, mapping of locations where registered TB cases live, to inform home visits for contact tracing and strengthening of laboratory systems, are viable mechanisms to improve TB case finding. Conclusion: Active TB case finding interventions should be implemented in the context of a strengthened diagnostics system, strategic community engagement and media involvement.

Incidence and risk factors of tuberculosis among the elderly population in China:a prospective cohort study

Background:China is facing challenges of the shifting presentation of tuberculosis(TB)from younger to elderly due to an ageing population,longer life expectancy and reactivation disease.However,the burden of elderly TB and influence factors are not yet clear.To fill the gap,we generated a cohort study to measure the magnitude of TB incidence and associated factors among the elderly population aged 65 years and above in China.Methods:In this cohort established in 2013 through a prevalence survey conducted in selected sites,a total of 34076 elderlies without TB were enrolled into two-year follow-up.We used both active and passive case findings to find out all TB patients among them.The person-year(PY)incidence rates for both bacteriologically positive TB and active TB were calculated.Cox proportional regression model was performed to test effect of risk factors,and the population attributable fraction(PAF)of each risk factor contributing to incident TB among elderlies was calculated.Results:Over the two-year follow-up period,a total of 215 incident active TB were identified,62 of which were bacteriologically positive.The incidence rates for active TB and bacteriologically positive TB were 481.8 per 100000 PY(95%CI:417.4–546.2 per 100000 PY)and 138.9 per 100000 PY(95%CI:104.4–173.5 per 100000 PY),respectively.Incident cases detected by active case finding were significantly higher(P<0.001).Male,non-Han nationality,previously treated TB,ex/current smoker and body mass index(BMI)<18.5 presented as independent predictors for developing TB disease.For developing bacteriologically positive TB,the biggest contribution was from self-reported ex or current smoker(18.06%).And,for developing active TB,the biggest contribution was from non-Han nationality(35.40%),followed by male(26.80%)and age at 75 years and above(10.85%).Conclusions:Ageing population in China had a high TB incidence rate and risk to develop TB disease,implying that National TB Program(NTP)needs to prioritize for elderly.Active case finding should be applied capture more active TB cases among this particular population,especially for male,non-Han nationality,and those with identified risk factors.