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The Importance of Heterogeneity to the Epidemiology of Tuberculosis

Trauer, James M, Dodd, Peter J, Gomes, Gabriela ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1454-4979, Gomez, Gabriela B, Houben, Rein MGJ, McBryde, Emma S, Melsew, Yayehired, Menzies, Nicolas, Arinaminpathy, Nimalan, Shrestha, Sourya and Dowdy, David W (2019) 'The Importance of Heterogeneity to the Epidemiology of Tuberculosis'. Clinical Infectious Diseases, Vol 69, Issue 1, pp. 159-166.

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Abstract

Although less well-recognised than for other infectious diseases, heterogeneity is a defining feature of TB epidemiology. To advance toward TB elimination, this heterogeneity must be better understood and addressed. Drivers of heterogeneity in TB epidemiology act at the level of the infectious host, organism, susceptible host, environment and distal determinants. These effects may be amplified by social mixing patterns, while the variable latent period between infection and disease may mask heterogeneity in transmission. Reliance on notified cases may lead to misidentification of the most affected groups, as case detection is often poorest where prevalence is highest. Assuming average rates apply across diverse groups and ignoring the effects of cohort selection may result in misunderstanding of the epidemic and the anticipated effects of control measures. Given this substantial heterogeneity, interventions targeting high-risk groups based on location, social determinants or comorbidities could improve efficiency, but raise ethical and equity considerations

Item Type: Article
Subjects: WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 200 Tuberculosis (General)
WF Respiratory System > Tuberculosis > WF 205 Epidemiology
Faculty: Department: Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy938
Depositing User: Daisy Byrne
Date Deposited: 09 Nov 2018 10:23
Last Modified: 13 Sep 2019 16:05
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/9592

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