Renal failure and active tuberculosis in a high incidence UK city

It is estimated that around one quarter of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis (TB).1 Over a lifetime a healthy individual with latent TB has 10-15% chance of developing active TB infection. This risk is greatly increased in those with certain forms of immunosuppression or co-morbidity. For example, it doubles or trebles in those receiving TNF-antagonists for treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.2 This has led the UK Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency to recommend that all patients in whom treatment with TNF-antagonists is being considered are first screened for latent TB and treated if necessary.

Source: Journal of Infection - June 18, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: E Moran, J Baharani, M Dedicoat, E Robinson, G Smith, P Bhomra, OS Thien, R Ryan Source Type: research