Latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents in Russia

Abstract

Background: After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in children 15-17 years of age increased in the Russian Federation from 16 per 100 000 population in 1992 to 37 per 100 000 in 2009, and new control measures were implemented.

Methods: Children were screened annually for TB exposure with a tuberculin skin test (TST) at age 1-8 years. If positive, they were investigated for active TB. If no active TB was found, they were treated with isoniazid for 4-6 months; they then underwent 6-monthly skin tests (which included two recombinant proteins) until negative and annual skin tests thereafter. From the age of 8 years, the yearly follow-up was performed using the skin test that included two recombinant proteins, either until they became negative, developed active TB, or turned 18 years.

Results: The annual incidence of TB in Russian children decreased from 19.1 per 100 000 population in 2001 to 8.3 per 100 000 population in 2018.

Conclusions: Annual screening for TB exposure with treatment for latent or active TB has reduced the annual incidence of TB in Russian children aged 15-17 years to 1992 levels.

Keywords: Latent tuberculosis; Recombinant tuberculosis antigen; Screening of children and adolescents.