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Updated: May 21, 2026

A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Lessons learned during tuberculosis screening in public medical clinics in Francistown, Botswana
1US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dpu2@cdc.gov
Abstract:
In Botswana, where one quarter of the adult population is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and the annual tuberculosis (TB) incidence is among the highest globally, intensified TB case finding is needed in health care facilities to detect and treat TB cases early and prevent transmission. During August-December 2009, TB screening was implemented among adults at patient intake in five clinics in Francistown. Among 11 779 TB screenings at intake, 926 were positive. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with TB. Routine TB screening at intake was operationally feasible, but had low yield. Innovative case-finding strategies are needed in Botswana.
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