TB Research

The treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in migrants in primary care<i>versus</i>secondary care

Srishti Chhabra, Matthew Chung Yi Koh, David Michael Allen

European Respiratory Journal · 2024-11

Abstract

<title>Extract</title> With a disproportionate burden of tuberculosis (TB) amongst migrants in Europe [1], B<sc>urman</sc> <italic>et al.</italic> [2] have highlighted the pressing need for alternative approaches to make TB infection (TBI) screening comprehensive and accessible. Across high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and development countries, a median of 52% of TB cases occur in foreign-born individuals, who are at their highest risk of developing TB disease within the first 5 years of migration [3]. Molecular epidemiological studies indicate that the majority of these cases occur as a result of TBI reactivation, often acquired overseas [4]. Within the UK, overseas-born migrants have a 14-fold higher TB incidence than UK-born individuals [5]. The World Health Organization therefore recommends that migrants from countries with a high TB burden may be prioritised for TBI screening [6, 7].

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Tuberculosis
  • Epidemiology
  • Incidence (geometry)
  • Pediatrics
  • Primary care
  • Foreign born
  • Disease
  • Developed country
  • Environmental health
  • Family medicine