TB Prevention

This report, for health professionals, government agencies, and organizations, presents information about HIV/AIDS and TB. It provides epidemiological statistics concerning the relationship between HIV/AIDS and TB, including incidence, morbidity rates, and mortality rates. It discusses TB and HIV transmission, how HIV can facilitate the development of active TB, and recommendations for the prevention of TB among HIV-positive persons.

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 the investigations of two TB outbreaks that occurred in two state correctional institutions with dedicated HIV housing units. In each outbreak, IS6110-based DNA fingerprinting of Mycobacterium (MTB) isolates linked all cases. During the 4-month intervals between identification of the two male index case-patients, one of whom later died of miliary TB, and chest radiograph screening of all the contacts remaining in the housing unit, 190 inmates had been released.

This report provides recommendations from the Advisory Council for the Elimination of TB (ACET) concerning TB elimination in low-incidence areas. In 1999, ACET called for a renewed commitment to its strategic plan, originally published in 1989 with a year 2000 objective of 3.5 cases per 100,000 population. Also in 2000, the Institute of Medicine proposed a comprehensive action plan for TB elimination in the United States. In 2000, 22 states reported incidence rates of =3.5/100,000, which was the objective set by ACET in its 1989 strategic plan.

This handbook is a reference tool for use by national tuberculosis (TB) program managers, clinicians and nurses, public health decision-makers and technical and implementing partners committed to the prevention, care, diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB.

This report provides World Health Organization (WHO) member states with guidance on preventing TB transmission in healthcare facilities, congregate settings, and households. It focuses on what to do and how to prioritize TB infection control at national levels and includes recommendations for national managerial activities. The report updates or presents new or increased emphasis on the particular administrative and environmental controls to be implemented and on personal protective equipment. It includes a special focus on building design and use of space.

This information sheet discusses preventing occupational transmission of TB by means of an infection control program. It explains the three levels of TB infection control in health care settings: (1) administrative controls to minimize areas where exposure may occur; (2) environmental controls to reduce the concentration of airborne TB bacteria; and (3) respiratory protective equipment to be used in situations that pose a high risk of exposure.