Latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents in Russia.

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.