Controversies in tuberculous infection among pediatric infectious disease specialists in North America.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) have been integrated into practice by pediatric infectious disease (PID) specialists. DESIGN: We conducted an online survey of the Infectious Diseases Society of America's Emerging Infections Network (EIN) membership. RESULTS: Of the 323 members, 197 (61%) responded: 7% cared for ⩾5 children with TB disease and 34% for ⩾5 children with LTBI annually. We identified substantial variations in the use of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) based upon age, immune status, and TB risk factors. In addition, tuberculin skin test (TST) use was three times more common in younger children. Variations existed in managing children with discordant TST and IGRA results. Less variation existed in LTBI treatment, with 86% preferring a 9-month course of isoniazid; few other, newer regimens were used routinely. CONCLUSION: Substantial variations exist in LTBI management; uptake of newer diagnostic tools and treatment regimens has been slow. Variations in practice and the lag time to integrating new data into practice may indicate the relative infrequency with which providers encounter LTBI. Our findings reflect the need for increased visibility of existing TB guidelines and resources for expert consultation for scenarios not covered by guidelines.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of universal versus selective immunization with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin in Finland.

SETTING: Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is provided to all infants born in Finland. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of universal versus selective BCG immunization. DESIGN: A Markov model was developed to simulate rates of tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease (NTM), and to examine the cost-effectiveness in terms of cost per case averted of three different strategies: universal BCG, selective BCG (10% of infants at higher TB risk than other infants) or no BCG immunization. RESULTS: In a cohort of 60,000 infants over 15 years, the model predicts five cases each of TB and NTM disease with universal immunization, 8-21 TB and 31 NTM cases with various strategies of selective immunization, and 25 TB and 34 NTM cases with no BCG immunization. BCG side-effects are predicted in 5, 0.5 and 0 infants, respectively. The cost per case averted for immunization strategies ranges from a cost of 38,311 US dollars to a savings of 323 dollars as selective immunization becomes more efficient at targeting infants at highest risk of TB. CONCLUSIONS: In a country with a low incidence of pediatric tuberculosis, selective BCG immunization is a more cost-effective strategy than universal BCG immunization for the prevention of tuberculosis, but results in an increase in NTM cases.

Estimating the population impact of an intervention: a decision-analytic approach.

The aim of this paper is to highlight the role for decision analysis in assessing outcomes of medical interventions at a population level. The basic steps of decision analysis are introduced and an illustrative hypothetical preventive intervention is examined. Specific modelling challenges that arise when estimating the population impact of an intervention are described and each is accompanied by an example. Decision analysis can provide useful information for health policy decision makers by identifying the intervention(s) with the largest beneficial impact on health over a wide range of assumptions. In addition, by focusing attention on the parameters with the greatest influence on projected outcomes, decision analysis can aid in identifying critical areas for future research.

A computerized school-based health assessment with rapid feedback to improve adolescent health.

Adolescent health problems are often undetected in physicians' offices. The Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project has developed a validated and reliable approach to identify adolescent health problems and initiate education in a school setting. A self-administered, anonymous, 26-item questionnaire was given to 204 students in a rural high school. Responses were scanned into PC-based software. Within one working day students were given individualized letters identifying their problem health issues as detected by the questionnaire and recommendations for education. Ninety-nine percent of students participated. Six weeks later 49% of a sample of 41 students reported reading the information and 50% planned to change behavior. This standardized, validated strategy of adolescent health assessment, feedback, and education was feasible for use in schools. The school responded to the data by employing a psychologist to address mental health needs.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis and early clinical manifestations of severe perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Northern California Pediatric HIV Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Some children with perinatal HIV infection develop early progression to severe symptoms (Category C) within the first 4 years of life. Prophylactic therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) may affect progression by decreasing the incidence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). METHODS: HIV progression to Category C in the first 3 years of life was retrospectively analyzed in a population-based cohort of children with perinatal HIV infection followed for > or = 3 years from birth. Time to development of Category C and clinical patterns of new Category C diagnoses were examined in relation to patterns of PCP prophylaxis before diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 147 children developed 67 initial category C diseases by 3 years of age: PCP (n=24), encephalopathy (n=22), other opportunistic infections (n=19) and wasting (n=2). Before diagnosis therapy included TMP/ SMX and zidovudine (ZDV) (n=11), TMP/SMX alone (n=7), ZDV alone (n=1) and neither (n= 39). The probability of developing a Category C diagnosis after 2 years was significantly lower among children who received TMP/SMX compared with those who did not (29%, TMP/SMX vs. 45%, no TMP/SMX; 30%, TMP and ZDV vs. 45%, no therapy; P < 0.01). The frequency of PCP was significantly lower and that of HIV encephalopathy was significantly higher among children receiving TMP/SMX +/- ZDV before Category C diagnosis than among children receiving neither. CONCLUSION: In this study PCP prophylaxis was associated with longer time to Category C diagnoses in the first 3 years of life. This association was related to a decreased incidence of PCP and an increased incidence of encephalopathy as the first Category C diagnosis among children who received TMP/SMX.