How Common Is Reactivation Tuberculosis?

In a population-based tuberculin skin-test survey, the rate of reactivation TB was 0.070 to 0.099 per 100 person-years.

Active tuberculosis (TB) results from recent acquisition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or, more commonly in the U.S., from reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI). Knowing the current rate of reactivation TB is important in the drive to implement preventive strategies. The rate was last calculated in the 1950s, when it was found to be 0.10 to 0.16 per 100 person-years. Since then, the epidemiology and management of TB have changed substantially.

To calculate today's rate, researchers performed a population-based tuberculin skin-test survey among randomly selected residents in western Palm Beach County, Florida, between January 1998 and October 2000. The calculations were done using two methods: In the “n” method, all unclustered cases of …

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Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

How Common Is Reactivation Tuberculosis?

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