Background: European-specific policies for tuberculosis (TB) elimination require identification of key populations that benefit from TB screening. Aim: We aimed to identify groups of foreign-born individuals residing in European countries that benefit most from targeted TB prevention screening. Methods: The Tuberculosis Network European Trials group collected, by cross-sectional survey, numbers of foreign-born TB patients residing in European Union (EU) countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020 from the 10 highest ranked countries of origin in terms of TB cases in each country of residence. Tuberculosis incidence rates (IRs) in countries of residence were compared with countries of origin. Results: Data on 9,116 foreign-born TB patients in 30 countries of residence were collected. Main countries of origin were Eritrea, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Romania and Somalia. Tuberculosis IRs were highest in patients of Eritrean and Somali origin in Greece and Malta (both > 1,000/100,000) and lowest among Ukrainian patients in Poland (3.6/100,000). They were mainly lower in countries of residence than countries of origin. However, IRs among Eritreans and Somalis in Greece and Malta were five times higher than in Eritrea and Somalia. Similarly, IRs among Eritreans in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK were four times higher than in Eritrea. Conclusions: Country of origin TB IR is an insufficient indicator when targeting foreign-born populations for active case finding or TB prevention policies in the countries covered here. Elimination strategies should be informed by regularly collected country-specific data to address rapidly changing epidemiology and associated risks.
Auteur : Vasiliu Anca, Köhler Niklas, Altpeter Ekkehardt, Ægisdóttir Tinna Rán, Amerali Marina, de Oñate Wouter Arrazola, Bakos Ágnes, D'Amato Stefania, Cirillo Daniela Maria, van Crevel Reinout, Davidaviciene Edita, Demuth Irène, Domínguez Jose, Duarte Raquel, Günther Gunar, Guthmann Jean-Paul, Hatzianastasiou Sophia, Holm Louise Hedevang, Herrador Zaida, Hribar Urška, Huberty Conny, Ibraim Elmira, Jackson Sarah, Jensenius Mogens, Josefsdottir Kamilla Sigridur, Koch Anders, Korzeniewska-Kosela Maria, Kuksa Liga, Kunst Heinke, Lienhardt Christian, Mahler Beatrice, Makek Mateja Janković, Muylle Inge, Normark Johan, Pace-Asciak Analita, Petrović Goranka, Pieridou Despo, Russo Giulia, Rzhepishevska Olena, Salzer Helmut J F, Marques Marta Sá, Schmid Daniela, Solovic Ivan, Sukholytka Mariya, Svetina Petra, Tyufekchieva Mariya, Vasankari Tuula, Viiklepp Piret, Villand Kersti, Wallenfels Jiri, Wesolowski Stefan, Mandalakas Anna-Maria, Martinez Leonardo, Zenner Dominik, Lange Christoph
Eurosurveillance, 2023, vol. 28, n°. 42
