Using the Food and Drug Administration´s Sentinel System for surveillance of TB infection.

BACKGROUND: We examined patterns in care for individuals treated for latent TB infection (LTBI) in the US Food and Drug Administration´s Sentinel System.METHODS: Using administrative claims data, we identified patients who filled standard LTBI treatment prescriptions during 2008-2019. In these cohorts, we assessed LTBI testing, clinical management, and treatment duration.RESULTS: Among 113,338 patients who filled LTBI prescriptions, 80% (90,377) received isoniazid (INH) only, 19% (21,235) rifampin (RIF) only, and 2% (1,726) INH + rifapentine (RPT). By regimen, the proportion of patients with documented prior testing for TBI was 79%, 54%, and 91%, respectively. Median therapy duration was 84 days (IQR 35-84) for the 3-month once-weekly INH + RPT regimen, 60 days (IQR 30-100) for the 6- to 9-month INH regimen, and 30 days (IQR 2-60) for the 4-month RIF regimen.CONCLUSIONS: Among the cohorts, INH-only was the most commonly prescribed LTBI treatment. Most persons who filled a prescription for LTBI treatment did not have evidence of completing recommended treatment duration. These data further support preferential use of shorter-course regimens such as INH + RPT.

Tuberculosis Transmission or Mortality Among Persons Living with HIV, USA, 2011-2016.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV are more likely to have tuberculosis (TB) disease attributed to recent transmission (RT) and to die during TB treatment than persons without HIV. We examined factors associated with RT or mortality among TB/HIV patients. METHODS: Using National TB Surveillance System data from 2011 to 2016, we calculated multivariable adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 99% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate associations between patient characteristics and RT or mortality. Mortality analyses were restricted to 2011-2014 to allow sufficient time for reporting outcomes. RESULTS: TB disease was attributed to RT in 491 (20%) of 2415 TB/HIV patients. RT was more likely among those reporting homelessness (aOR, 2.6; CI, 2.0, 3.5) or substance use (aOR,1.6; CI, 1.2, 2.1) and among blacks (aOR,1.8; CI, 1.2, 2.8) and Hispanics (aOR, 1.8; CI, 1.1, 2.9); RT was less likely among non-US-born persons (aOR, 0.2; CI, 0.2, 0.3). The proportion who died during TB treatment was higher among persons with HIV than without (8.6% versus 5.2%; p < 0.0001). Among 2273 TB/HIV patients, 195 died during TB treatment. Age ≥ 65 years (aOR, 5.3; CI, 2.4, 11.6), 45-64 years (aOR, 2.2; CI, 1.4, 3.4), and having another medical risk factor for TB (aOR, 3.3; CI, 1.8, 6.2) were associated with death; directly observed treatment (DOT) for TB was protective (aOR, 0.5; CI, 0.2, 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Among TB/HIV patients, blacks, Hispanics, and those reporting homelessness or substance use should be prioritized for interventions that decrease TB transmission. Improved adherence to treatment through DOT was associated with decreased mortality, but additional interventions are needed to reduce mortality among older patients and those TB/HIV patients with another medical risk factor for TB.