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Fewer losses in the cascade of care for latent tuberculosis with solo interferon-gamma release assay screening compared to sequential screening

Abstract
Refugees are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) soon after resettlement. Targeting high-risk populations for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and treatment is an important measure towards eliminating TB in low incidence countries, however, there are low rates of screening and treatment completion in the LTBI cascade of care. The authors hypothesized that an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) screening strategy would lead to a higher proportion of refugees completing LTBI screening and treatment, compared to sequential screening with tuberculin skin test (TST) and confirmatory IGRA.
Authors: R. K. Lim,R. Talavlikar,O. Chiazor,J. Bietz,H. Gardiner,D. Fisher Publication Date: 9/9/2021

Publication Type: Journal Article

URL:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06637-z
Notes

Location

Calgary, Alberta

Community organizations

Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic

Key recommendations

An interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) should be strongly considered as the screening method for refugees arriving in low-incidence settings if resources are available.

Key populations

Refugees

Gaps identified

Low rates of screening and treatment completion in the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cascade of care

Key findings

This study has identified fewer dropouts in the LTBI cascade of care if a solo-IGRA strategy is used for screening. An IGRA should be strongly considered as the screening method for refugees arriving in low-incidence settings if resources are available.

Integration timeline

At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?

NA


Collections physical-and-mental-health , refugee-experiences , resettlement-integration

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