Risk factors for recurrent tuberculosis in England and Wales, 1998-2005

Abstract

Background Information on recurrent tuberculosis can provide an indication of the effectiveness of tuberculosis services and identify patients who are most vulnerable. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of, and investigate risk factors for, recurrent episodes of tuberculosis in England and Wales.

Draft Genome Sequences of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Strains A2 and A4, Isolated from a Relapse Patient in Taiwan

“…Although anti-TB drugs are effective at treating patients with good compliance, the recurrence rate in Taiwan is still around 3% (2). Several host factors, such as HIV infections and ethnicity, predispose cured patients to relapse (3). In addition, bacterial factors may also play a role.…”

Re‐Emerging Infections: Developments in Bioarchaeological Contributions to Understanding Tuberculosis Today

“…Table 24.1 shows those risk factors and illustrates that there is indeed much overlap between past and present, although for some factors it is not possible to identify whether they were important in the past (e.g. the presence of HIV co-infection, which is classed as the most important risk factor today-Dye 2008:36; Crofts et al 2010). It should also be emphasized that for any one person affected by TB there can be a combination of factors that have predisposed that person, and this will vary between developed and developing countries.…”

Do we need bacteriological confirmation of cure in uncomplicated tuberculosis?

“…This was because they were in good health and invasive tests were felt to be inappropriate by their managing clinicians. Both national and local data indicate low rates of relapse post anti-TB treatment [9], suggesting that the majority of subjects are cured with therapy. We believe it is not indicated, in the UK, to pursue end of therapy samples for mycobacterial culture when a patient has successfully completed treatment and is well.…”