Tuberculosis in London: the convergence of clinical and social complexity. Issue 4 (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Charlotte; Anderson, Sarah R.; Maguire, Helen; Hayward, Andrew C.; Story, Alistair
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 48:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 1233
• Page End: 1236
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00749-2016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

In large European cities, the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic is characteristically concentrated in vulnerable and under-served populations [1]. London has the highest number and annual incidence of TB in Europe and implemented routine surveillance on homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse and imprisonment among TB patients in 2009 [2]. This paper describes the clinical, public health and epidemiological characteristics of TB cases and the public health impact of social risk factors including risk of infectiousness, onward transmission, poor treatment adherence and drug resistance. Clinically complex TB among socially vulnerable groups in London exemplifies the challenge of 21st century TB control http://ow.ly/DUzR302h1mD