The impact, effectiveness and outcomes of targeted screening thresholds for programmatic latent tuberculosis infection testing in HIV

Background Screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are key for TB control. In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British HIV Association (BHIVA) give conflicting guidance on which groups of people with HIV (PWH) should be screened, and previous national analysis demonstrated heterogeneity in how guidance is applied. There is an urgent need for a firmer clinical effectiveness evidence base on which to build screening policy. Methods We conducted a systematic, programmatic LTBI-screening intervention for all PWH receiving care in Leicester, UK. We compared yields (percentage IGRA positive) and number of tests required when applying the NICE and BHIVA testing strategies, as well as strategies targeting screening by TB incidence in patients' countries of birth. Results Of 1053 PWH tested, 118 were IGRA-positive (11.2%). Positivity was associated with higher TB incidence in country-of-birth [adjusted odds ratio, 50-149 cases compared with Conclusion Targeting screening to higher risk PWH increases yield and reduces the number requiring testing. Our proposed 'PWH-LTBI streamlined guidance' offers a simplified approach, with the potential to improve national LTBI-screening implementation.