Age-Specific Strategies to Prevent Active TB in Household Contacts

Routine bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination prevented the development of active tuberculosis in household contacts aged <10 years; postexposure isoniazid prophylaxis was effective through age 19.

Whether in a region of high or low tuberculosis (TB) burden, household contacts of individuals with active TB are at increased risk of acquiring infection and developing disease. The WHO currently recommends screening such contacts for disease and giving isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to those aged <5 years.

To assess the appropriateness of these recommendations and the potential role of routine bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, investigators analyzed data from an observational prospective cohort study involving 14,041 household contacts of 3446 adults diagnosed with active TB in Lima, Peru, between September 2009 and August 2012.

During 1 year of follow-up, active TB developed in 454 HIV-negative household contacts. BCG-vaccinat…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

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)

Age-Specific Strategies to Prevent Active TB in Household Contacts

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Reviewing Author