Are HIV-positive presumptive tuberculosis patients without tuberculosis getting the care they need in Zimbabwe?

SETTING: Emakhandeni Clinic provides decentralised and integrated tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. OBJECTIVES: To compare HIV care for presumptive TB patients with and without TB registered in 2013. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using routine programme data. RESULTS: Of 422 registered presumptive TB patients, 26% were already known to be HIV-positive. Among the remaining 315 patients, 255 (81%) were tested for HIV, of whom 190 (75%) tested HIV-positive. Of these, 26% were diagnosed with TB and 71% without TB (3% had no TB result recorded). For the 134 patients without TB, antiretroviral treatment (ART) eligibility data were recorded for 42 (31%); 95% of these were ART eligible. Initiation of cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) and ART was recorded for respectively 88% and 90% of HIV-positive patients with TB compared with respectively 40% and 38% of HIV-positive patients without TB (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Presumptive TB patients without TB had a high HIV positivity rate and, for those with available data, most were ART eligible. Unlike HIV-positive patients diagnosed with TB, CPT and ART uptake for these patients was poor. A 'test and treat' approach and better service linkages could be life-saving for these patients, especially in southern Africa, where there are high burdens of HIV and TB

Feasibility and yield of screening for diabetes mellitus among tuberculosis patients in Harare, Zimbabwe.

SETTING: A resource-limited urban setting in Zimbabwe with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and yield of diabetes mellitus (DM) screening among TB patients in primary health care facilities. DESIGN: A descriptive study. RESULTS: Of the 1617 TB patients registered at 10 pilot facilities, close to two thirds (60%) were male and 798 (49%) were bacteriologically confirmed. The median age was 37 years; two thirds (67%) were co-infected with HIV. A total of 1305 (89%) were screened for DM, and 111 (8.5%, 95% CI 7.0-10.2) were newly diagnosed with DM. Low TB notifying sites were more likely than high TB notifying sites to screen patients using random blood glucose (RBG) (83% vs. 79%; P < 0.04). Screening increased gradually per quarter over the study period. There were, however, notable losses along the screening cascade, the reasons for which will need to be explored in future studies. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate the feasibility of DM screening among TB patients, with considerable yield of persons newly diagnosed with DM. Scaling up of this intervention will need to address the observed losses along the screening cascade

PCR colorimetric dot-blot assay and clinical pretest probability for diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Smear-Negative patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPTB) accounts for 30% of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) cases reported annually in developing nations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may provide an alternative for the rapid detection of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>(MTB); however little data are available regarding the clinical utility of PCR in SNPTB, in a setting with a high burden of TB/HIV co-infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate the performance of the PCR dot-blot in parallel with pretest probability (Clinical Suspicion) in patients suspected of having SNPTB, a prospective study of 213 individuals with clinical and radiological suspicion of SNPTB was carried out from May 2003 to May 2004, in a TB/HIV reference hospital. Respiratory specialists estimated the pretest probability of active disease into high, intermediate, low categories. Expectorated sputum was examined by direct microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen staining), culture (Lowenstein Jensen) and PCR dot-blot. Gold standard was based on culture positivity combined with the clinical definition of PTB.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In smear-negative and HIV subjects, active PTB was diagnosed in 28.4% (43/151) and 42.2% (19/45), respectively. In the high, intermediate and low pretest probability categories active PTB was diagnosed in 67.4% (31/46), 24% (6/25), 7.5% (6/80), respectively. PCR had sensitivity of 65% (CI 95%: 50%–78%) and specificity of 83% (CI 95%: 75%–89%). There was no difference in the sensitivity of PCR in relation to HIV status. PCR sensitivity and specificity among non-previously TB treated and those treated in the past were, respectively: 69%, 43%, 85% and 80%. The high pretest probability, when used as a diagnostic test, had sensitivity of 72% (CI 95%:57%–84%) and specificity of 86% (CI 95%:78%–92%). Using the PCR dot-blot in parallel with high pretest probability as a diagnostic test, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were: 90%, 71%, 75%, and 88%, respectively. Among non-previously TB treated and HIV subjects, this approach had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 91%, 79%, 81%, 90%, and 90%, 65%, 72%, 88%, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PCR dot-blot associated with a high clinical suspicion may provide an important contribution to the diagnosis of SNPTB mainly in patients that have not been previously treated attended at a TB/HIV reference hospital.</p

How can integrated care and research assist in achieving the SDG targets for diabetes, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS?

Integrating the management and care of communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus (DM), may help to achieve the ambitious health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.3 and 3.4) by 2030. There are five important reasons to integrate. First, we need to integrate to prevent disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, HIV infection is the main driver of the TB epidemic, and antiretroviral therapy combined with isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) can reduce TB case notification rates. In Asia, DM is another important driver of the TB epidemic, and preventing or controlling DM can reduce the risk of TB. Second, we need to integrate to diagnose cases. Between a third to a half of those living with HIV, TB or DM do not know they have the disease, and bi-directional screening, whereby TB patients are screened for HIV and DM or people living with HIV and DM are screened for TB, can help to identify these 'missing cases'. Third, we need to integrate to better treat and manage patients who have a combination of two or more of these diseases, so that treatment success and retention on treatment can be optimised. Fourth, we should integrate to ensure better infection control practices for both TB and HIV infection in health facilities and congregate settings, such as prisons. Finally, we should integrate and learn how to monitor, record and report, particularly in relation to the cascade of events implicit in the HIV/AIDS and TB 90-90-90 targets

What can National TB Control Programmes in low- and middle-income countries do to end tuberculosis by 2030?

The international community has committed to ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030. This will require multi-sectoral action with a focus on accelerating socio-economic development, developing and implementing new tools, and expanding health insurance coverage. Within this broad framework, National TB Programmes (NTPs) are accountable for delivering diagnostic, treatment, and preventive services. There are large gaps in the delivery of these services, and the aim of this article is to review the crucial activities and interventions that NTPs must implement in order to meet global targets and milestones that will end the TB epidemic. The key deliverables are the following: turn End TB targets and milestones into national measurable indicators to make it easier to track progress; optimize the prompt and accurate diagnosis of all types of TB; provide rapid, complete, and effective treatment to all those diagnosed with TB; implement and monitor effective infection control practices; diagnose and treat drug-resistant TB, associated HIV infection, and diabetes mellitus; design and implement active case finding strategies for high-risk groups and link them to the treatment of latent TB infection; engage with the private-for-profit sector; and empower the Central Unit of the NTP particularly in relation to data-driven supportive supervision, operational research, and sustained financing. The glaring gaps in the delivery of TB services must be remedied, and some of these gaps will require new paradigms and ways of working which include patient-centered and higher-quality services. There must also be fast-track ways of incorporating new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention tools into program activities so as to rapidly reduce TB incidence and mortality and meet the goal of ending TB by 2030

What can National TB Control Programmes in low- and middle-income countries do to end tuberculosis by 2030?

The international community has committed to ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030. This will require multi-sectoral action with a focus on accelerating socio-economic development, developing and implementing new tools, and expanding health insurance coverage. Within this broad framework, National TB Programmes (NTPs) are accountable for delivering diagnostic, treatment, and preventive services. There are large gaps in the delivery of these services, and the aim of this article is to review the crucial activities and interventions that NTPs must implement in order to meet global targets and milestones that will end the TB epidemic. The key deliverables are the following: turn End TB targets and milestones into national measurable indicators to make it easier to track progress; optimize the prompt and accurate diagnosis of all types of TB; provide rapid, complete, and effective treatment to all those diagnosed with TB; implement and monitor effective infection control practices; diagnose and treat drug-resistant TB, associated HIV infection, and diabetes mellitus; design and implement active case finding strategies for high-risk groups and link them to the treatment of latent TB infection; engage with the private-for-profit sector; and empower the Central Unit of the NTP particularly in relation to data-driven supportive supervision, operational research, and sustained financing. The glaring gaps in the delivery of TB services must be remedied, and some of these gaps will require new paradigms and ways of working which include patient-centered and higher-quality services. There must also be fast-track ways of incorporating new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention tools into program activities so as to rapidly reduce TB incidence and mortality and meet the goal of ending TB by 2030

Integrating tuberculosis and mental health services: global receptivity of national tuberculosis program directors

SETTING A global survey of National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) directors. OBJECTIVES To assess the perceived mental health needs of persons with tuberculosis (TB), current practices, and receptivity to integrating evidence-based mental and substance use treatment into national TB guidelines. DESIGN Semi-structured survey of NTP directors from 26 countries of all income levels using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 26 countries, 21 were classified as high incidence and/or burden countries for TB, TB and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, and/or drug-resistant TB. Two NTPs included routine screening for any mental disorder, four assessed alcohol or drug use, and five had standard protocols for the co-management of disorders. If effective and low-cost integrated care models were available, 17 NTP directors felt that it was highly likely, and five somewhat likely, that their NTPs would integrate mental health treatment into national TB guidelines and services. The main perceived barriers to service integration were limited capacity, not recognizing mental health as a problem, insufficient resources, and TB-related social stigma. CONCLUSIONS NTPs currently do not address mental disorders as part of routine practice. Nevertheless, receptivity is high, which creates a ripe opportunity to integrate the management of TB and mental disorders into the policies and guidelines of NTPs worldwide.

Challenges and opportunities to prevent tuberculosis in people living with HIV in low-income countries

People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV) are at high risk for tuberculosis (TB), and TB is a major cause of death in PLHIV. Preventing TB in PLHIV is therefore a key priority. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic PLHIV has a potent TB preventive effect, with even more benefits in those with advanced immunodeficiency. Applying the most recent World Health Organization recommendations that all PLHIV initiate ART regardless of clinical stage or CD4 cell count could provide a considerable TB preventive benefit at the population level in high HIV prevalence settings. Preventive therapy can treat tuberculous infection and prevent new infections during the course of treatment. It is now established that isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) combined with ART among PLHIV significantly reduces the risk of TB and mortality compared with ART alone, and therefore has huge potential benefits for millions of sufferers. However, despite the evidence, this intervention is not implemented in most low-income countries with high burdens of HIV-associated TB. HIV and TB programme commitment, integration of services, appropriate screening procedures for excluding active TB, reliable drug supplies, patient-centred support to ensure adherence and well-organised follow-up and monitoring that includes drug safety are needed for successful implementation of IPT, and these features would also be needed for future shorter preventive regimens. A holistic approach to TB prevention in PLHIV should also include other important preventive measures, such as the detection and treatment of active TB, particularly among contacts of PLHIV, and control measures for tuberculous infection in health facilities, the homes of index patients and congregate settings