Latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents in Russia

Abstract

Background: After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in children 15-17 years of age increased in the Russian Federation from 16 per 100 000 population in 1992 to 37 per 100 000 in 2009, and new control measures were implemented. Methods: Children were screened annually for TB exposure with a tuberculin skin test (TST) at age 1-8 years. If positive, they were investigated for active TB. If no active TB was found, they were treated with isoniazid for 4-6 months; they then underwent 6-monthly skin tests (which included two recombinant proteins) until negative and annual skin tests thereafter. From the age of 8 years, the yearly follow-up was performed using the skin test that included two recombinant proteins, either until they became negative, developed active TB, or turned 18 years. Results: The annual incidence of TB in Russian children decreased from 19.1 per 100 000 population in 2001 to 8.3 per 100 000 population in 2018. Conclusions: Annual screening for TB exposure with treatment for latent or active TB has reduced the annual incidence of TB in Russian children aged 15-17 years to 1992 levels.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in School Contacts of Tuberculosis Cases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection was highest (33.2%) among children from studies that used QFT tests. These study results show that the prevalence is substantially higher than the background prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection among young children, [41][42][43][44] suggesting that considerable transmission is occurring among school contacts of TB cases, representing an important population for targeted intervention. Surprisingly, we found a lower prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection in studies from China than in those from other countries.…”

Advances in TB testing

“…Following dosing (0.2 μg in 0.1 mL), the result is recorded at 48–72 h by measuring papule diameter at the injection site. The test is interpreted as negative, doubtful or positive based on the presence or absence of infiltration and hyperemia [99] .…”

Tuberculosis in Adolescents and Young Adults: Emerging Data on TB Transmission and Prevention among Vulnerable Young People

“…Broader use of active case-finding in high-prevalence settings can reduce TB transmission by facilitating prompt diagnosis and treatment for AYA. In the Russian Federation, for example, TB prevalence has fallen across all age groups with the implementation of numerous programmatic efforts including, since 2014, annual testing for TB infection for all children and adolescents under age 18 years [107]. More extensive use of TPT among AYA can also reduce TB transmission by preventing progression to TB disease.…”