Notes From the Director

Dr. Phil Lobue, Director DTBE

Dear Colleague:

One of the most important events for people working in tuberculosis (TB) elimination is World TB Day. World TB Day is observed annually on March 24, to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch’s announcement of his discovery of Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB. On March 24, and the days leading up to it, CDC and many others shared successes in TB prevention and control, and raised awareness of the challenges that hinder our progress toward the elimination of this devastating disease.

Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch Updates

“It’s Time!” to take a look back on all the great activities during World TB Day 2019!

CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champions Project: For the past 4 years, the CDC U.S. TB Elimination Champions Project has provided an opportunity to recognize accomplishments and learn best practices from people who are making a significant contribution to preventing and controlling TB in the United States.... Read More

Surveillance, Epidemiology & Outbreak Investigations Branch Updates

Preliminary TB Surveillance Data for 2018

In recognition of World TB Day, DTBE has published preliminary TB surveillance data for 2018, documenting 9,029 new cases of TB in the United States in 2018. This is the lowest case count on record and corresponds with a TB rate of 2.8 per 100,000 persons, a rate 1.3% lower than reported in 2017....Read More

Laboratory Branch Updates

New and updated tuberculosis (TB) testing resources were released in 2018 for laboratorians and healthcare professionals to include:

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2nd Edition M48: Laboratory Detection and Identification of Mycobacteria—This edition focuses on a consensus guideline for an optimal approach to diagnose mycobacterial infections as well as for specimen processing, direct detection, culture, and identification of mycobacteria, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC). For additional information, visit the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institu...Read More

Clinical Research Branch Updates

Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Vernon: Recipient of The Union-North American Region (NAR) Lifetime Achievement Award

Each year, The Union-North American Region recognizes the valuable contributions of our colleagues working in the field of tuberculosis control and prevention. This is the highest award of the region. It is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of TB over a lifetime. This year’s recipient is Dr. Andrew Anthony Vernon.....
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New CDC Publications

Aboukheir MK, Alvarado-Ramy F, Fernandez Vazquez M, Joglar O. Notes from the Field: Tuberculosis Control in the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria - Puerto Rico, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Jan 18;68(2):46-47. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6802a6. PMID: 30653488.

Agizew T, Boyd R, Auld AF, Payton L, Pals SL, Lekone P, Chihota V, Finlay A. Treatment outcomes, diagnostic and therapeutic impact: Xpert vs. smear. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2019 Jan 1;23(1):82-92. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.18.0203. PMID:30674379.

Bardenheier BH, Pavkov ME, Winston CA, Klosovsky A, Yen C, Benoit S, Gravenstein S, Posey DL, Phares CR. Prevalence of Tuberculosis Disease Among Adult US-Bound Refugees with Chronic Kidney Disease. J Immigr Minor Health. 2019 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s10903-018-00852-8. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 30612283.... Read More