Extent of transmission captured by contact tracing in a tuberculosis high endemic setting. Issue 3 (23rd March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bjorn-Mortensen, Karen; Lillebaek, Troels; Koch, Anders; Soborg, Bolette; Ladefoged, Karin; Sørensen, Hans Christian Florian; Kohl, Thomas Andreas; Niemann, Stefan; Andersen, Aase Bengaard
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 49:Issue 3(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-03-23
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01851-2016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

We have previously documented a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) (>1000 per 100 000 inhabitants) and considerable Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in East Greenland despite population-wide screenings implemented by the Greenland health authorities [1–5]. In Greenland, all contacts of TB patients are routinely screened for M. tuberculosis infection and TB. Individuals with newly acquired M. tuberculosis infection are offered 6 months of preventive isoniazid treatment. Despite the considerable resources spent on clinical examinations and preventive treatment over the years, TB incidence rates have remained high in East Greenland [1]. In a TB endemic setting >50% of culture-positive TB cases were likely infected via community acquired transmission http://ow.ly/Rqjd307cf6o