Active TB Surveillance in Asylum-Seekers

In the developed world, where TB case-rates are low, passive surveillance — examination of sputum from symptomatic individuals — is the mainstay for diagnosing active disease. However, an influx of asylum-seekers from areas with high TB prevalence has led some countries to require radiologic screening for newcomers, regardless of symptoms, at the point of entry. Researchers in Switzerland recently conducted a prospective, multicenter study to ascertain the diagnostic yield of respiratory samples from asylum-seekers with chest radiographs suggestive of active TB.

Over a 2-year period, 101 asylum-seekers were referred for respiratory-sample collection because of radiologically suspected active TB. Fewer than half reported respiratory symptoms …