Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis management in Spain

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impacte; TuberculosiCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impacto; TuberculosisCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impact; TuberculosisBackground The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) patients is unknown. Methods Participating centres completed a structured web-based survey regarding changes to TB patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also included data from participating centres on patients aged ≥18 diagnosed with TB in 2 periods: March 15 to June 30, 2020 and March 15 to June 30, 2019. Clinical variables and information about patient household contacts were retrospectively collected. Results A total of 7 (70%) TB units reported changes in their usual TB team operations. Across both periods of study, 169 patients were diagnosed with active TB (90 in 2019, 79 in 2020). Patients diagnosed in 2020 showed more frequent bilateral lesions in chest X-ray than patients diagnosed in 2019 ( P = 0.004). There was a higher percentage of latent TB infection and active TB among children in households of patients diagnosed in 2020, compared with 2019 ( P = 0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial changes in TB care. TB patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed more extended pulmonary forms. The increase in latent TB infection and active TB in children of patient households could reflect increased household transmission due to anti-COVID-19 measures.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.MLA was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Rio Hortega” and ASM was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Juan Rodés” (JE18/00022) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the Spanish Ministry of economy and competitiveness

Recomanacions per a la prevenció i el control de la tuberculosi pediàtrica a Catalunya

Tuberculosi pediàtrica; Diagnòstic de malalties; TractamentsTuberculosis pediátrica; Diagnóstico de enfermedades; TratamientosPediatric tuberculosis; Disease diagnosis; TreatmentsLa finalitat d’aquest document és revisar, des d’una perspectiva multidisciplinària, els reptes en el diagnòstic i el tractament de la TB pediàtrica, l’optimització de la realització dels estudis de contactes, la integració del cribratge de la infecció tuberculosa en el Programa de seguiment del nen sa de l’atenció primària (AP) i el model d’organització assistencial, amb l’objectiu de realitzar recomanacions pràctiques que contribueixin a millorar les respostes que cal articular per a la prevenció i el control de la TB pediàtrica al territori

Adherence and Toxicity during the Treatment of Latent Tuberculous Infection in a Referral Center in Spain

Latent tuberculosis infection; Toxicity; Tuberculosis screeningInfecció tuberculosa latent; Toxicitat; Cribratge de tuberculosiInfección tuberculosa latente; Toxicidad; Cribado de tuberculosisThe screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in countries with a low incidence of TB is a key strategy for the elimination of tuberculosis (TB). However, treatment can result in adverse events (AEs) and have poor adherence. This study aimed to describe treatment outcomes and AEs for LTBI patients at two departments in Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. A retrospective study was conducted on all persons treated for LTBI between January 2018 and December 2020. Variables collected included demographics, the reason for LTBI screening and treatment initiation, AEs related to treatment, and treatment outcome. Out of 261 persons who initiated LTBI treatment, 145 (55.6%) were men, with a median age of 42.1 years. The indications for LTBI screening were household contact of a TB case in 96 (36.8%) persons, immunosuppressive treatment in 84 (32.2%), and recently arrived migrants from a country with high TB incidence in 81 (31.0%). Sixty-three (24.1%) persons presented at least one AE during treatment, and seven (2.7%) required definitive discontinuation of treatment. In the multivariate analysis, AE development was more frequent in those who started LTBI treatment due to immunosuppression. Overall, 226 (86.6%) completed treatment successfully. We concluded that LTBI screening and treatment groups had different risks for adverse events and treatment outcomes. Persons receiving immunosuppressive treatment were at higher risk of developing AEs, and recently arrived immigrants from countries with a high incidence of TB had greater LTFU. A person-centered adherence and AE management plan is recommended.A.M.L. was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Juan Rodés” (JE21/00027) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos through the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain

Epidemiology and diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis in a low incidence country with high rate of immigrant population: A retrospective study

Immigrant population; Pleural tuberculosis; Tuberculosis diagnostic toolsPoblació immigrant; Tuberculosi pleural; Eines de diagnòstic per la tuberculosiPoblación inmigrante; Tuberculosis pleural; Herramientas de diagnóstico para la tuberculosisBACKGROUND: The confirmatory diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (pTB) remains challenging. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pTB patients and assess the yield of different diagnostic procedures in a low burden country with a high rate of immigrant population. METHODS: All adult patients with pTB between 2007 and 2014 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: One hundred and three out of 843 patients with tuberculosis had pTB. Fifty-three (54.1%) were male, and the median age was 45years (range 18-87years). Fifty-two (50.49%) patients were immigrants. A confirmed diagnosis was reached in 16 patients (15.5%) by microbiological studies of pleural effusion. Lung involvement was demonstrated by sputum smear microscopy in 13/49 (26.5%), sputum GeneXpert MTB/RIF test in 13/20 (65%), and sputum culture in 16/37 (43.2%). High-resolution computed tomography (CT) showed lung involvement in 47.7% of the patients. The cure rate was 91.3% at the 1-year follow-up. Three patients died, all of them within the first month after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of lung involvement increased by two-fold when lung CT was used; this correlated with the likelihood of finding a positive microbiological result on sputum sample testing. Pleural microbiological studies had a low diagnostic yield, and sputum could have a complementary role

Recomanacions per a la prevenció i el control de la tuberculosi pediàtrica a Catalunya

Tuberculosi pediàtrica; Diagnòstic de malalties; TractamentsTuberculosis pediátrica; Diagnóstico de enfermedades; TratamientosPediatric tuberculosis; Disease diagnosis; TreatmentsLa finalitat d’aquest document és revisar, des d’una perspectiva multidisciplinària, els reptes en el diagnòstic i el tractament de la TB pediàtrica, l’optimització de la realització dels estudis de contactes, la integració del cribratge de la infecció tuberculosa en el Programa de seguiment del nen sa de l’atenció primària (AP) i el model d’organització assistencial, amb l’objectiu de realitzar recomanacions pràctiques que contribueixin a millorar les respostes que cal articular per a la prevenció i el control de la TB pediàtrica al territori