Effect of a culture-based screening algorithm on tuberculosis incidence in immigrants and refugees bound for the United States: a population-based cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Before 2007, immigrants and refugees bound for the United States were screened for tuberculosis (TB) by a smear-based algorithm that could not diagnose smear-negative/culture-positive TB. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a culture-based algorithm.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the culture-based algorithm on preventing the importation of TB to the United States by immigrants and refugees from foreign countries.

Design

Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Panel physician sites for overseas medical examination.

Patients

Immigrants and refugees with TB.

Measurements

Comparison of the increase of smear-negative/culture-positive TB cases diagnosed overseas among immigrants and refugees by t

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4646057 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature