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What's NewPost-Graduate course on Management of childhood TB in low-intermediate burden settings 5th Union Europe Region Conference, 27 May 2009, Dubrovnik, CroatiaThe first ever post-graduate course on Management of childhood TB in low-intermediate burden settings was held during the recent Union Europe Region conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Rationale: Because of children’s high vulnerability to TB morbidity and mortality, awareness of tuberculosis control among the paediatric population should remain high even in low-intermediate burden settings. Particularly, the relative high incidence among children belonging to highly TB vulnerable populations –such as migrants from high burden countries and the lower socio-economic groups- calls for a focus on measures to prevent and control the disease among these groups. This epidemiological setting is further complicated by the uncertainties and difficulties around paediatric TB diagnosis and management. Learning Objectives: (1) To provide an overview of the childhood TB situation in low intermediate burden settings particularly in Europe (2) To inform participants on current state of the art diagnostic, treatment and preventive interventions. (3) To inform participants on current challenges and controversies in the management of childhood TB in low-intermediate burden settings. The course was attended by 24 participants and the group was a mixture from Western European, low burden countries and eastern European medium and high burden countries (especially from countries with high rates of MDR-TB among the adult patients). The course discussed both clinical and epidemiological areas. Two "controversial" topics on BCG and use of IGRAs were also presented. The course was interactive with good discussion that identified some areas requiring more evidence, mostly in the field of MDR-TB treatment (such as the use of fluoroquinolones in children with active TB) and diagnosis of latent TB infection with the use of IGRAs. Presentations |
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