Improved Detection of Tuberculosis and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis among Tibetan Refugees, India

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2203.140732
• Publication Date: 2016-01-20T19:48:11Z
• Authors: Kerry L. Dierberg; Kunchok Dorjee; Fulvio Salvo; Wendy A. Cronin; J’Belle Boddy; Daniela Cirillo; Tsetan Sadutshang; Richard E. Chaisson
• Keywords: Active tuberculosis; Case finding

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) among Tibetan refugees in India is 431 cases/100,000 persons, compared with 181 persons overall 2010. More than half TB cases these occur students, monks, and nuns congregate settings. We sought to increase case detection rates for this population through active finding rapid molecular diagnostics. screened 27,714 symptoms tested 3,830 symptomatic by using an algorithm incorporating chest radiography, sputum smear microscopy, culture, a diagnostic test; 96 (2.5%) were detected (prevalence 346 persons). Of cases, 5% multidrug-resistant TB. Use the test enabled undiagnosed living settings, which would not have otherwise been identified. burden exile extremely high requires urgent attention.