Podcast: Tuberculosis

Dr. Chris Greenaway will describe the key points of the Tuberculosis review of the Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health Evidence-based clinical guidelines

Key points

Foreign-born people account for 65% of all those with active tuberculosis in Canada, and subgroups have up to a 500-fold increased risk of active tuberculosis compared with the non-Aboriginal Canadian-born population.

The Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health recommends screening certain groups as soon as possible on arrival in Canada with a tuberculin skin test and treating for latent tuberculosis infection in those found to be positive, after ruling out active tuberculosis.

Although isoniazid is highly efficacious in decreasing the development of active tuberculosis in those with latent tuberculosis infection, monitoring for hepatotoxicity is required for all ages; close monitoring is required for those over 50 years of age and those with pre-existing liver disease, alcoholism or concomitant use of hepatotoxic drugs.

Adherence to screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection can be increased if delivered in a culturally sensitive manner.

CMAJ evidence review

Evidence Based Migrant Health Network