Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume 67, Issue 18, 2011, Pages 875-884

Screening of tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection in asylum seekers [Screening van tuberculose en latente tuberculose-infectie bij asielzoekers] (Article)

Busschots M. , Van Den Brande P.* , Arrazola De Oñate W.
  • a K.U.Leuven, Belgium
  • b AZ Sint-Maarten Campus Duffel, Rooienberg 25, 2570 Duffel, Belgium
  • c Vlaamse Vereniging Voor Respiratoire Gezondheidszorg en Tuberculosebestrijding (VRGT), Belgium

Abstract

Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB) have faced the problem of asylum seekers from countries with a high TB prevalence. Asylum seekers are a group at risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and TB. Therefore, all asylum seekers arriving in Belgium are screened for TB by a chest radiograph. A tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) are diagnostic tests for LTBI. However, the financial and structural capacity of the healthcare system currently does not allow to perform these tests. The use and cost-efficiency of the different screening methods is still debatable and an international consensus is lacking concerning the best way to organise a national screening. Free and mandatory screening remains essential for an efficient TB control. Still, screening remains useless if not followed by an adequate follow-up and therapy for all TB patients, irrespective of their nationality or administrative status.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

thorax radiography interferon gamma release assay latent tuberculosis tuberculosis control high risk population Article screening human tuberculin test cost effectiveness analysis

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80054726711&doi=10.2143%2fTVG.67.18.2001041&partnerID=40&md5=2f6d781ece3886cfbb471c6f66265f60

DOI: 10.2143/TVG.67.18.2001041
ISSN: 0371683X
Original Language: Dutch