title: Identifying components for programmatic latent tuberculosis infection control in the European Union.
abstract: Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are the reservoir of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a population and as long as this reservoir exists, elimination of tuberculosis (TB) will not be feasible. In 2013, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) started an assessment of benefits and risks of introducing programmatic LTBI control, with the aim of providing guidance on how to incorporate LTBI control into national TB strategies in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States and candidate countries. In a first step, experts from the Member States, candidate countries, and international and national organisations were consulted on the components of programmatic LTBI control that should be considered and evaluated in literature reviews, mathematical models and cost-effectiveness studies. This was done through a questionnaire and two interactive discussion rounds. The main components identified were identification and targeting of risk groups, determinants of LTBI and progression to active TB, optimal diagnostic tests for LTBI, effective preventive treatment regimens, and to explore the potential for combining LTBI control with other health programmes. Political commitment, a solid healthcare infrastructure, and favourable economic situation in specific countries were identified as essential to facilitate the implementation of programmatic LTBI control.
authors: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Sandgren
authors: Jannigje M
authors: JM
authors: Vonk Noordegraaf-Schouten
authors: Anouk M
authors: AM
authors: Oordt-Speets
authors: Gerarda B
authors: GB
authors: van Kessel
authors: Sake J
authors: SJ
authors: de Vlas
authors: Marieke J
authors: MJ
authors: van der Werf
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000379:methods; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Prevention and control; health policy; infectious disease; latent tuberculosis infection; public health