Who is at risk for TB?
Anyone can be infected with tuberculosis. However, some people are at greater risk for TB than others.
The CDC has identified key groups who face an increased risk for TB infection and disease progression (1). For example, TB incidence is 18 times higher among non-US-born persons compared with those born in the US (2).
Other groups at increased risk for TB include people living with HIV or experiencing immunosuppression, contacts of active TB cases, healthcare workers and children.
The CDC is calling out a testing gap. Can we defuse the TB timebomb?
According to a new study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, reported TB incidence (cases per 100,000 persons) increased 9.4%, from 2.2 during 2020 to 2.4 during 2021 but was lower than incidence during 2019 (2.7) (2).
Factors contributing to changes in reported TB during 2020–2021 likely include an actual reduction in TB incidence, delayed or missed TB diagnoses and disruptions in healthcare access (3).
The authors warn that continuing underdiagnosis of TB in the U.S. may derail efforts to eliminate the disease, highlighting the importance of evaluation and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to prevent progression to TB disease.
How can we get U.S. testing back on track?
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