Search

BackgroundThe prevalence of diseases other than TB detected during chest X-ray (CXR) screening is unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. This represents a missed opportunity for identification and treatment of potentially significant disease. Our aim was to describe and quantify non-TB abnormalities identified by TB-focused CXR screening during the 2016 Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey.MethodsWe reviewed a random sample of 1140 adult (≥15 years) CXRs classified as ‘abnormal, suggestive of TB’ or ‘abnormal other’ during field interpretation from the TB prevalence survey. Each image was read (blinded to field classification and study radiologist read) by two expert radiologists, with images classified into one of four major anatomical categories and primary radiological findings. A third reader resolved discrepancies. Prevalence and 95% CIs of abnormalities diagnosis were estimated.FindingsCardiomegaly was the most common non-TB abnormality at 259 out of 1123 (23.1%, 95% CI 20.6% to 25.6%), while cardiomegaly with features of cardiac failure occurred in 17 out of 1123 (1.5%, 95% CI 0.9% to 2.4%). We also identified chronic pulmonary pathology including suspected COPD in 3.2% (95% CI 2.3% to 4.4%) and non-specific patterns in 4.6% (95% CI 3.5% to 6.0%). Prevalence of active-TB and severe post-TB lung changes was 3.6% (95% CI 2.6% to 4.8%) and 1.4% (95% CI 0.8% to 2.3%), respectively.InterpretationBased on radiological findings, we identified a wide variety of non-TB abnormalities during population-based TB screening. TB prevalence surveys and active case finding activities using mass CXR offer an opportunity to integrate disease screening efforts.FundingNational Institute for Health Research (IMPALA-grant reference 16/136/35).

BackgroundCommunity-based screening for tuberculosis (TB) could improve detection but is resource intensive. We set out to evaluate the accuracy of computer-aided TB screening using digital chest X-ray (CXR) to determine if this approach met target product profiles (TPP) for community-based screening.MethodsCXR images from participants in the 2016 Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey were evaluated using CAD4TBv6 (Delft Imaging), giving a probabilistic score for pulmonary TB ranging from 0 (low probability) to 99 (high probability). We constructed a Bayesian latent class model to estimate the accuracy of CAD4TBv6 screening compared to bacteriologically-confirmed TB across CAD4TBv6 threshold cut-offs, incorporating data on Clinical Officer CXR interpretation, participant demographics (age, sex, TB symptoms, previous TB history), and sputum results. We compared model-estimated sensitivity and specificity of CAD4TBv6 to optimum and minimum TPPs.ResultsOf 63,050 prevalence survey participants, 61,848 (98%) had analysable CXR images, and 8,966 (14.5%) underwent sputum bacteriological testing; 298 had bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB. Median CAD4TBv6 scores for participants with bacteriologically-confirmed TB were significantly higher (72, IQR: 58-82.75) compared to participants with bacteriologically-negative sputum results (49, IQR: 44-57, pConclusionsCAD4TBv6 met the optimal TPP for TB community screening. To optimise screening accuracy and efficiency of confirmatory sputum testing, we recommend that an adaptive approach to threshold setting is adopted based on participant characteristics.Take home messageCAD4TBv6 met the optimal WHO target product profile for a community TB screening tool. Specificity was lower in adults with previous TB and those aged 41 years or older; an adaptive approach to setting CAD thresholds will likely be required to optimize use.

___Key messages___ The Commission recommends five priority investments to achieve a tuberculosis-free world within a generation. These investments are designed to fulfil the mandate of the UN High Level Meeting on tuberculosis. In addition, they answer the question of how countries with high-burden tuberculosis and their development partners should target their future investments to ensure that ending tuberculosis is achievable. __Invest first to ensure that high quality rapid diagnostics and treatment are provided to all individuals receiving care for tuberculosis, wherever they seek care__ This priority includes rapid drug susceptibility testing and second-line treatment for resistant forms of tuberculosis. Achieving universal, high-quality person-centred and family-centred care—including sustained improvement in the performance of private sector providers—usually should be the top policy and budget priority. __Reach people and populations at high risk for tuberculosis (such as household and other close contacts of people with tuberculosis, and people with HIV) and bring them into care__ Active case-finding and treatment in high-risk populations demands adequate resources to reach and care for these populations. At the same time, reaching certain high-risk populations, such as people co-infected with tuberculosis and HIV, for tuberculosis preventive therapy is essential to achieve epidemiologic control. Once high-risk populations have access to affordable, high-quality diagnostic, treatment and preventive services, invest in identifying tuberculosis cases in the general population, primarily by strengthening the capacity to deliver health services and move toward universal health coverage. __Increase investment to accelerate tuberculosis research and development and bring new diagnostics, therapeutic strategies, and vaccines to clinical practice to quickly end the pandemic__ Strong advocacy with science ministries and research-oriented pharmaceutical companies is crucial, including ministries and companies in middle-income countries, to highlight the importance of investing in new tools. Financing the early uptake of new products will provide important confidence signals to product developers. __Make investment in tuberculosis programmes a shared responsibility, increasing development assistance for tuberculosis according to the financial needs of individual low-income and middle-income countries__ As countries successfully mobilise more domestic resources towards tuberculosis programmes, external assistance to middle-income countries should address the following priorities: reduce the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis in all affected low-income and middle-income countries; facilitate market-shaping activities to enable access to high quality drugs and diagnostics for high-burden countries; and finance tuberculosis research and development, including product development as well as population, policy, and implementation research that will provide lessons and international sharing of best practices. __Hold countries and key stakeholders accountable for progress made towards ending tuberculosis__ Accountability entails establishing independent, multisectoral processes, such as national tuberculosis report cards, to ensure that all stakeholders carry out their responsibilities to contribute to ending the pandemic. Accountability mechanisms should not only assess progress, but also guarantee that Heads of Governments, national tuberculosis programmes, and even regional and site-level clinics, as well as key non-governmental organisations, take the necessary corrective actions to remove obstacles to ending tuberculosis.

SettingChildren especially those ObjectiveThis study aims to review the child contact management (CCM) cascade and present IPT outcomes across 10 clinics in western Kenya.DesignA retrospective chart review of programmatic data of a TB Reach-funded active, clinic-based CCM strategy.ResultsOf 553 child contacts screened, 231 (42%) were reported symptomatic. 74 (13%) of the child contacts were diagnosed with active TB disease. Of those eligible for IPT, 427 (90%) initiated IPT according to TB REACH project data while 249 (58%) were recorded in the IPT register with 49 (11%) recorded as a transfer to other facilities. Of the 249 recorded in the IPT register, 205 (82%) were documented to complete therapy (48% of project initiation children).ConclusionOur evaluation shows gaps in the routine CCM care cascade related to completeness of documentation that require further programmatic monitoring and evaluation to improve CCM outcomes.

Background The true burden of tuberculosis in children remains unknown, but approximately 65% go undetected each year. Guidelines for tuberculosis clinical decision-making are in place in Kenya, and the National Tuberculosis programme conducts several trainings on them yearly. By 2018, there were 183 GeneXpert® machines in Kenyan public hospitals. Despite these efforts, diagnostic tests are underused and there is observed under detection of tuberculosis in children. We describe the process of designing a contextually appropriate, theory-informed intervention to improve case detection of TB in children and implementation guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel. Methods We used an iterative process, going back and forth from quantitative and qualitative empiric data to reviewing literature, and applying the Behaviour Change Wheel guide. The key questions reflected on included (i) what is the problem we are trying to solve; (ii) what behaviours are we trying to change and in what way; (iii) what will it take to bring about desired change; (iv) what types of interventions are likely to bring about desired change; (v) what should be the specific intervention content and how should this be implemented? Results The following behaviour change intervention functions were identified as follows: (i) training: imparting practical skills; (ii) modelling: providing an example for people to aspire/imitate; (iii) persuasion: using communication to induce positive or negative feelings or stimulate action; (iv) environmental restructuring: changing the physical or social context; and (v) education: increasing knowledge or understanding. The process resulted in a multi-faceted intervention package composed of redesigning of child tuberculosis training; careful selection of champions; use of audit and feedback linked to group problem solving; and workflow restructuring with role specification. Conclusion The intervention components were selected for their effectiveness (from literature), affordability, acceptability, and practicability and designed so that TB programme officers and hospital managers can be supported to implement them with relative ease, alongside their daily duties. This work contributes to the field of implementation science by utilising clear definitions and descriptions of underlying mechanisms of interventions that will guide others to do likewise in their settings for similar problems.

Background Routine services for tuberculosis (TB) are being disrupted by stringent lockdowns against the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. We sought to estimate the potential long-term epidemiological impact of such disruptions on TB burden in high-burden countries, and how this negative impact could be mitigated. Methods We adapted mathematical models of TB transmission in three high-burden countries (India, Kenya and Ukraine) to incorporate lockdown-associated disruptions in the TB care cascade. The anticipated level of disruption reflected consensus from a rapid expert consultation. We modelled the impact of these disruptions on TB incidence and mortality over the next five years, and also considered potential interventions to curtail this impact. Findings Even temporary disruptions can cause long-term increases in TB incidence and mortality. If lockdown-related disruptions cause a temporary 50% reduction in TB transmission, we estimated that a 3-month suspension of TB services, followed by 10 months to restore to normal, would cause, over the next 5 years, an additional 1⋅19 million TB cases (Crl 1⋅06–1⋅33) and 361,000 TB deaths (CrI 333–394 thousand) in India, 24,700 (16,100–44,700) TB cases and 12,500 deaths (8.8–17.8 thousand) in Kenya, and 4,350 (826–6,540) cases and 1,340 deaths (815–1,980) in Ukraine. The principal driver of these adverse impacts is the accumulation of undetected TB during a lockdown. We demonstrate how long term increases in TB burden could be averted in the short term through supplementary “catch-up” TB case detection and treatment, once restrictions are eased. Interpretation Lockdown-related disruptions can cause long-lasting increases in TB burden, but these negative effects can be mitigated with rapid restoration of TB services, and targeted interventions that are implemented as soon as restrictions are lifted. Funding USAID and Stop TB Partnership

Background The prevalence of diseases other than tuberculosis (TB) detected during chest X-ray (CXR) screening is unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. This represents a missed opportunity for identification and treatment of potentially significant disease. Our aim was to quantify and characterise non-TB abnormalities identified by TB-focused CXR screening during the 2016 Kenya National TB prevalence survey. Methods We reviewed a random sample of 1140 adult (≥15 years) CXRs classified as “abnormal, suggestive of TB” or “abnormal other” during field interpretation from the TB Prevalence Survey. Each image was read (blinded to field classification and study radiologist read) by two expert radiologists, with images classified into one of four major anatomical categories and primary radiological diagnosis. A third reader resolved discrepancies. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of abnormalities diagnosis were estimated. Findings Cardiomegaly was the most common non-TB abnormality at 259/1123 (23.1%, 95% CI 20.6%-25.6%), while cardiomegaly with features of cardiac failure occurred in 17/1123 (1.5 %, 95% CI 0.9%-2.4%). We also identified chronic pulmonary pathology including suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3.2% (95% CI 2.3%-4.4%) and non-specific patterns in 4.6% (95% CI 3.5%-6.0%). Prevalence of active-TB and severe post-TB lung changes was 3.6% (95% CI 2.6%-4.8%) and 1.4% (95% CI 0.8%-2.3%) respectively. Interpretation Based on radiological diagnosis, we identified a wide variety of non-TB diagnoses during population-based TB screening. TB prevalence surveys and active case finding activities using mass CXR offer an opportunity to integrate disease screening efforts. Funding National Institute for Health Research (IMPALA-grant reference 16/136/35). Evidence before this study Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading adult infectious killer in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of chest X-ray (CXR) as a mass screening tool in TB prevalence surveys and active case finding activities to identify patients eligible for bacteriological investigation. Mathematical modelling suggests that an algorithm incorporating a screening CXR to direct subsequent Xpert MTB/RIF testing is the optimal pathway with lowest number needed to test at acceptable programme costs in active case finding mass screening activities. Increased digital X-ray availability, coupled with the development of Computer Aided Detection (CAD) software for identification of TB, could enable widespread use of CXR in screening for TB in areas with limited access to radiologists. In addition, CXR has an advantage of detecting conditions besides TB. However, the prevalence of diseases other than TB identified by CXR during TB mass screening or TB prevalence survey activities is unknown. We systematically searched MEDLINE, CINHAL, Global Health and Google scholar databases from 1940–2019 to identify studies that described the prevalence of non-TB CXR findings during TB prevalence surveys or mass screening activities. The WHO Stop TB Department website and reference lists from relevant reviews and studies were used to supplement the search. The search strategy included MESH terms: “Chest Xray” or “Chest-Xray” or “Chest radiograph” or “Mass screening” or “Mass radiography” AND “Tuberculosis screening” or “Tuberculosis triaging” or “TB screening” or “TB triaging” AND “Non-tuberculous” or “Non-TB pathology” or “other pathology”. Our search yielded a number of studies using CXR screening in prevalence surveys as well as active case finding activities. However, studies describing non-TB pathology during mass radiography were few and mostly in the 20th century. A report in Europe between 1946 and 1948 documented 35% non-TB pathology on mass miniature X-rays. Our search did not identify any evidence pertinent to the sub-Saharan African context. Added value of this study In this cross-sectional study, we analysed individual-level participant CXR data from the 2016 Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey. Our aim was to quantify and characterise non-TB abnormalities identified by TB-focused CXR screening during the survey. We hypothesised that non-TB abnormalities requiring further clinical review are highly prevalent and need to be considered when implementing CXR screening for TB. Our study identified multiple non-TB diagnoses. The most prevalent was cardiomegaly at 23.1% (95% CI 20.6%-25.6%). We also identified chronic pulmonary pathology including suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-specific interstitial patterns. Mediastinal masses, excluding goitres, occurred in 0.8% (95% CI 0.4%-1.5%). TB related abnormalities, which may cause chronic respiratory symptoms, such as severe bronchiectasis and/or destroyed lung were present in 1.4%(95% CI 0.8%-2.3%). Median CAD4TB scores were low for the non-TB abnormalities. Implications of all the available evidence Our study demonstrated a high prevalence of CXR-identified non-TB abnormalities, including cardiomegaly, chronic pulmonary diseases, post-TB lung disease and non-specific lung diseases. Implementation of CXR TB screening in this context requires detailed health system planning to incorporate provision of care to people with non-TB abnormalities. This could include incorporation of additional tests such as blood pressure monitoring and spirometry as part of community TB screening interventions.

Setting Kenya, 2012–2015 Objective To explore whether there is a gender difference in all-cause mortality among smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)/ HIV co-infected patients treated for tuberculosis (TB) between 2012 and 2015 in Kenya. Design Retrospective cohort of 9,026 smear-positive patients aged 15–49 years. All-cause mortality during TB treatment was the outcome of interest. Time to start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation was considered as a proxy for CD4 cell count. Those who took long to start of ART were assumed to have high CD4 cell count. Results Of the 9,026 observations analysed, 4,567(51%) and 4,459(49%) were women and men, respectively. Overall, out of the 9,026 patients, 8,154 (90%) had their treatment outcome as cured, the mean age in years (SD) was 33.3(7.5) and the mean body mass index (SD) was 18.2(3.4). Men were older (30% men’ vs 17% women in those ≥40 years, p = Conclusion Women with sputum positive PTB/HIV co-infection have a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality during TB treatment compared to men. Men were older, had lower BMI and tested later for HIV than women.

Objectives To describe the epidemiology of childhood tuberculosis (TB) in Kenya, assess the magnitude of TB/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection and identify risk factors for mortality during TB treatment. Study design We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Kenyan national TB program data for patients enrolled from 2013 through 2015. A total of 23 753 children aged less than 15 years were included in the analysis. Survival analysis was performed with censorship at 9 months and mortality was the main outcome. We used Cox proportional hazards regression for assessing risk factors for mortality. Results Childhood TB accounted for 9% (n = 24 216) of all patients with TB; 98% of the notified children (n = 23 753) were included in the analysis. TB/HIV co-infection was 28% (n = 6112). Most TB cases (71%; n = 16 969) were detected through self-referral. Treatment was successful in 90% (n = 19 088) and 4% (n = 1058) died. Independent risk factors for mortality included being HIV infected but not on antiretroviral therapy (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 4.84; 95% CI, 3.59-6.51), being HIV infected and on antiretroviral therapy (aHR, 3.69; 95% CI, 3.14-4.35), children aged less than 5 years (aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.08-1.44), and being diagnosed with smear negative pulmonary disease (aHR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.27-2.24). Conclusions Most childhood TB cases in Kenya were detected through passive case finding. TB/HIV co-infection is high among children on treatment for TB, and HIV is associated with an increased risk of death. There is a need to intensify active case finding among children. TB prevention interventions among HIV-infected children, early diagnosis of HIV, and early antiretroviral therapy initiation among children on TB treatment should be strengthened.

Setting Undernourishment is prevalent among tuberculosis (TB) patients. Nutritional support is given to TB patients to prevent and treat undernourishment; it is also used to improve treatment outcomes and as an incentive to keep patients on treatment. Objective To determine whether nutritional support is associated with a reduction in the risk of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among TB patients in Kenya. Design This was a retrospective cohort study using national programmatic data. Records of 362 685 drug-susceptible TB patients from 2012 to 2015 were obtained from Treatment Information from Basic Unit (TIBU), a national case-based electronic data recording system. Patients who were LTFU were compared with those who completed treatment. Results Nutrition counselling was associated with an 8% reduction in the risk of LTFU (RR 0.92, 95%CI 0.89-0.95), vitamins were associated with a 7% reduction (adjusted RR [aRR] 0.93, 95%CI 0.90-0.96) and food support was associated with a 10% reduction (aRR 0.90, 95%CI 0.87-0.94). Among patients who received food support, the addition of nutrition counselling was associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of LTFU (aRR 0.77, 95%CI 0.67-0.88). Conclusion Nutritional support was associated with a reduction in the risk of LTFU. Providing nutrition counselling is important for patients receiving food support.

Setting: The tuberculosis (TB) clinics of five health facilities in western Kenya. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated determinants of diabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-diabetes hyperglycaemia among adult TB patients using point-of-care DCA Vantage glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) devices. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Results: Of 454 patients, 272 (60%) were males, the median age was 34 years, 175 (39%) were co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the median duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment was 8 weeks; 180 (40%) patients reported at least one classical symptom suggestive of DM. The prevalence of DM (HbA1c ⩾6.5%) was 5.1% (95%CI 3.2-7.5), while that of pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) was 37.5% (95%CI 33.1-42.2). The number needed to screen (NNS) was 19.6 for DM and 2.7 for pre-diabetes. Combined, 42.6% (95%CI 38.0-47.3) of the patients had either pre-diabetes or DM (NNS 2.3). Seven of the 23 patients with DM knew their prior DM status. Higher rates of DM were associated with age ⩾40 years and a family history of DM, but not obesity, type of TB, HIV status or suggestive symptoms. Conclusions: High rates of pre-diabetes and DM were found in adult TB patients. This study supports the need for routine screening of all patients with TB for DM in Kenya.

Background Leprosy elimination defined as a registered prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 persons was achieved in Kenya at the national level in 1989. However, there are still pockets of leprosy in some counties where late diagnosis and consequent physical disability persist. The epidemiology of leprosy in Kenya for the period 2012 through to 2015 was defined using spatial methods. Methods This was a retrospective ecological correlational study that utilized leprosy case based data extracted from the National Leprosy Control Program database. Geographic information system and demographic data were obtained from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Chi square tests were carried out to check for association between sociodemographic factors and disease indicators. Two Spatial Poisson Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) models were fitted in WinBUGS 1.4 software. The first model included all leprosy cases (new, retreatment, transfers from another health facility) and the second one included only new leprosy cases. These models were used to estimate leprosy relative risks per county as compared to the whole country i.e. the risk of presenting with leprosy given the geographical location. Principal findings Children aged less than 15 years accounted for 7.5% of all leprosy cases indicating active leprosy transmission in Kenya. The risk of leprosy notification increased by about 5% for every 1 year increase in age, whereas a 1% increase in the proportion of MB cases increased the chances of new leprosy case notification by 4%. When compared to the whole country, counties with the highest risk of leprosy include Kwale (relative risk of 15), Kilifi (RR;8.9) and Homabay (RR;4.1), whereas Turkana had the lowest relative risk of 0.005. Conclusion Leprosy incidence exhibits geographical variation and there is need to institute tailored local control measures in these areas to reduce the burden of disability., Author summary Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease that mainly affects the nerves. If untreated, it may cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes leading to physical disability. Through use of a combination of drugs, Kenya was able to declare the disease as eliminated in the year 1989. However, there are still pockets of leprosy in some Kenyan counties where physical disability persists, mainly due to late diagnosis. To be able to curb this disease, control measures must be intensified, especially in the counties reporting more cases. We used data of the leprosy cases reported in Kenya for the period 2012 through to 2015 in order to describe geographical variation and factors influencing this variation. More than half of the registered cases had visible physical disability. The risk of leprosy notification increased with an increase in age as well as the severity of disease. We estimated that people living in Kwale, Kilifi and Homabay counties are 15, 9, and 5 times respectively more at risk of leprosy as compared to the whole country. Given the limited resources, it’s therefore paramount that high risk counties be initially targeted for control, with a focus on early diagnosis.

Summary Background In the context of WHO's End TB strategy, there is a need to focus future control efforts on those interventions and innovations that would be most effective in accelerating declines in tuberculosis burden. Using a modelling approach to link the tuberculosis care cascade to transmission, we aimed to identify which improvements in the cascade would yield the greatest effect on incidence and mortality. Methods We engaged with national tuberculosis programmes in three country settings (India, Kenya, and Moldova) as illustrative examples of settings with a large private sector (India), a high HIV burden (Kenya), and a high burden of multidrug resistance (Moldova). We collated WHO country burden estimates, routine surveillance data, and tuberculosis prevalence surveys from 2011 (for India) and 2016 (for Kenya). Linking the tuberculosis care cascade to tuberculosis transmission using a mathematical model with Bayesian melding in each setting, we examined which cascade shortfalls would have the greatest effect on incidence and mortality, and how the cascade could be used to monitor future control efforts. Findings Modelling suggests that combined measures to strengthen the care cascade could reduce cumulative tuberculosis incidence by 38% (95% Bayesian credible intervals 27–43) in India, 31% (25–41) in Kenya, and 27% (17–41) in Moldova between 2018 and 2035. For both incidence and mortality, modelling suggests that the most important cascade losses are the proportion of patients visiting the private health-care sector in India, missed diagnosis in health-care settings in Kenya, and drug sensitivity testing in Moldova. In all settings, the most influential delay is the interval before a patient's first presentation for care. In future interventions, the proportion of individuals with tuberculosis who are on high-quality treatment could offer a more robust monitoring tool than routine notifications of tuberculosis. Interpretation Linked to transmission, the care cascade can be valuable, not only for improving patient outcomes but also in identifying and monitoring programmatic priorities to reduce tuberculosis incidence and mortality. Funding US Agency for International Development, Stop TB Partnership, UK Medical Research Council, and Department for International Development.

Digital Support for Patients with Tuberculosis In this study in Kenya, investigators assessed interactive messaging with mobile phones to remind patients with active tuberculosis to take medication...

Three human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care clinics in Eastern Province, Kenya.To establish rates of treatment completion, loss to follow-up, adverse drug reactions, tuberculosis (TB) disease and mortality among 606 HIV-infected children during 6 months of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT).Retrospective record review.Of 606 HIV-infected children started on IPT, 556 (91.7%) successfully completed treatment, while 20 (3.3%) completed with interruptions. Cumulatively, 30 children (4.9%) did not complete IPT: 4 (0.7%) were lost to follow-up, 4 (0.7%) discontinued because of treatment interruptions, 2 (0.3%) developed adverse drug reactions, 1 developed a chronic cough, 1 was transferred to a non-IPT facility and 18 (3%) developed TB, including 2 who eventually died. TB disease was diagnosed in a median of 3 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 2-16) post-IPT initiation. The median CD4 cell count for those aged 1-4 years who developed TB disease was 1023 cells/mm(3) (IQR 375-1432), while for those aged 5-14 years it was 149 cells/mm(3) (IQR 16-332). Isoniazid resistance was not detected in the four culture-confirmed TB cases.The high treatment completion, low loss to follow-up rate and few adverse drug reactions affirm the feasibility of IPT provision to children in HIV care clinics.Trois dispensaires de soins pour le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH) dans la Province Est du Kenya.Mettre en évidence des taux d’achèvement du traitement, de perte du suivi, de réactions indésirables, de maladie tuberculeuse et de mortalité chez 606 enfants infectés par le VIH au cours de 6 mois de traitement préventif à l’isoniazide (IPT).Revue rétrospective des dossiers.Sur 606 enfants infectés par le VIH et mis sous IPT, 556 ont réussi à compléter leur traitement (91,7%), alors que 20 (3,3%) l’ont achevé mais avec des interruptions. Au total, 30 enfants (4,9%) n’ont pas achevé le traitement : parmi ceux-ci, 4 (0,7%) ont été perdus lors du suivi, 4 (0,7%) ont interrompu le traitement, 2 (0,3%) ont rencontré des effets indésirables des médicaments, 1 une toux chronique, 1 a été transféré vers un service non-IPT et chez 18 (3%) on a vu apparaître une tuberculose (TB), incluant 2 qui sont décédés. La maladie TB a été diagnostiquée après une durée médiane de 3 semaines (limites interquartiles [IQR] 2 à 16) après l’initiation de l’IPT. Le décompte médian de cellules CD4 pour les enfants âgés de 1 à 4 ans, chez qui la TB est apparue, était de 1023 cellules/mmLe taux élevé d’achèvement du traitement et le faible taux de pertes de suivi et de réactions indésirables aux médicaments confirment la faisabilité de l’administration de l’IPT aux enfants dans les dispensaires de soins VIH.Tres consultorios de atención de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en la Provincia Oriental de Kenia.Establecer en un grupo de 606 niños infectados por el VIH las tasas de compleción del tratamiento antituberculoso, pérdida durante el seguimiento, reacciones adversas a los medicamentos, enfermedad tuberculosa y de mortalidad durante los 6 meses del tratamiento preventivo con isoniazida (IPT).Fue este un examen retrospectivo de las historias clínicas.De los 606 niños con infección por el VIH que comenzaron el IPT, 556 lo completaron con éxito (91,7%) y 20 lo completaron con interrupciones (3,3%). Según el análisis acumulado, 30 niños no completaron el tratamiento (4,9%); 4 se perdieron de vista durante el tratamiento (0,7%), 4 se excluyeron por interrupciones del tratamiento (0,7%), 2 presentaron reacciones adversas a los medicamentos (0,3%), 1 presentó tos crónica, 1 se trasladó a un centro que no suministraba el IPT, 18 contrajeron la enfermedad tuberculosa (3%) y de ellos 2 fallecieron. La mediana del lapso hasta el diagnóstico de la tuberculosis (TB) fue 3 semanas (intervalo intercuartil [IQR] 2–16) después de haber iniciado el IPT. La mediana del recuento de células CD4 en los niños que contrajeron la enfermedad del subgrupo entre 1 y 4 años de edad fue 1023 células/mmEl alta tasa de compleción del tratamiento, la baja proporción de pérdidas de vista durante el seguimiento y las escasas reacciones adversas que se observaron confirman la viabilidad de la provisión del IPT a los niños en los consultorios de atención de la infección por el VIH.

Despite high tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate, treatment adherence is one of the major obstacles to tuberculosis control in Kenya. Our objective was to identify patient-related factors that were associated with time to TB treatment interruption and the geographic distribution of the risk of treatment interruption by county. Data of new and retreatment patients registered in TIBU, a Kenyan national case-based electronic data recording system, between 2013 and 2014 was obtained. Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank tests were used to assess the adherence patterns. Mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards modeling was used for multivariate analysis. Records from 90,170 patients were included in the study. The cumulative incidence of treatment interruption was 4.5% for new patients, and 8.5% for retreatment patients. The risk of treatment interruption was highest during the intensive phase of treatment. Having previously been lost to follow-up was the greatest independent risk factor for treatment interruption (HR: 4.79 [3.99, 5.75]), followed by being HIV-positive not on ART (HR: 1.96 [1.70, 2.26]) and TB relapse (HR: 1.70 [1.44, 2.00]). Male and underweight patients had high risks of treatment interruption (HR: 1.46 [1.35, 1.58]; 1.11 [1.03, 1.20], respectively). High rates of treatment interruption were observed in counties in the central part of Kenya while counties in the northeast had the lowest risk of treatment interruption. A better understanding of treatment interruption risk factors is necessary to improve adherence to treatment. Interventions should focus on patients during the intensive phase, patients who have previously been lost to follow-up, and promotion of integrated TB and HIV services among public and private facilities.

Background Mortality from TB continues to be a global public health challenge. TB ranks alongside Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the leading infectious causes of death globally. HIV is a major driver of TB related morbidity and mortality while TB is the leading cause of mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS. We sought to determine excess mortality associated with HIV and the effect of antiretroviral therapy on reducing mortality among tuberculosis patients in Kenya. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of Kenya national tuberculosis program data of patients enrolled from 2013 through 2014. We used direct standardization to obtain standardized mortality ratios for tuberculosis patients compared with the general population. We calculated the population attributable fraction of tuberculosis deaths due to HIV based on the standardized mortality ratio for deaths among TB patients with HIV compared to TB patients without HIV. We used Cox proportional hazards regression for assessing risk factors for mortality. Results Of 162,014 patients included in the analysis, 6% died. Mortality was 10.6 (95% CI: 10.4–10.8) times higher among TB patients than the general population; 42% of deaths were attributable to HIV infection. Patients with HIV who were not receiving ART had an over four-fold risk of death compared to patients without HIV (aHR = 4.2, 95% CI 3.9–4.6). In contrast, patients with HIV who were receiving ART had only 2.6 times the risk of death (aHR = 2.6, 95% CI 2.5–2.7). Conclusion HIV was a significant contributor to TB-associated deaths in Kenya. Mortality among HIV-infected individuals was higher among those not on ART than those on ART. Early initiation of ART among HIV infected people (a “test and treat” approach) should further reduce TB-associated deaths.