Report

This report summarizes findings of the epidemiologic study conducted by health departments in the four US states bordering Mexico (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) to characterize patterns of immigration and migration among foreign-born Hispanic patients with TB and their behaviors in seeking health care. The 181 consenting Hispanic patients under treatment for TB during October 1, 1995 to January 5, 1996, completed a standardized questionnaire and additional data were obtained from medical charts and laboratory reports.

This report describes approaches for managing patients with TB who are candidates for or who are undergoing protease inhibitor therapy and presents interim recommendations for managing these patients until additional data are available and formal guidelines are issued. Protease inhibitors interact with rifamycin derivatives, which are used to treat and prevent the mycobacterial infections commonly observed in patients with the HIV. The report provides background information on the management of TB and the three treatment options currently available for these patients.

This report summarizes CDC and State health departments investigations and provides guidance about notification of passengers and flight crew after exposure to TB during travel on commercial aircrafts. From January 1993 through February 1995, CDC and State health departments completed an investigation of six instances in which passengers or flight crew traveled on commercial aircraft while infectious with TB.

This report discusses the attempts by two states, New York and South Carolina, to improve patient adherence to anti-TB therapy during 1986-1991 using a combination of strategies. Both states used a combination of strategies: incentives, directly observed therapy (DOT), court-ordered DOT, and commitment to a secured, long-term care facility. The report provides recommendations for local and state health departments to increase completion rates of anti-TB therapy.

This report in the form of a notice to readers states that CDC in conjunction with the American Thoracic Society expects to issue new guidelines on screening and preventive therapy for TB that will include a recommendation on the use of the two-month regimen of daily rifampin and pyrazinamide (2RZ) as an alternative to 12-month isoniazid for prevention of TB in HIV-negative persons for whom preventive therapy is indicated. A comparative trial of the 2RZ regimen in HIV-negative persons has not been conducted.