Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2026
Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
Tuberculosis disease and infection screening among migrants in the Netherlands 2019-2023: a national retrospective
Gerard de Vries1, Annemieke Mulder1, Ineke Spruijt2
1Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
Background:
Migrants from tuberculosis (TB) high-incidence countries are at increased risk of TB, therefore, screening for TB is frequently implemented in host countries, but evidence for systematic screening for TB infection (TBI) is limited. We evaluated the national migrant TB/TBI screening programme in the Netherlands to assess TB yield, TBI prevalence, and the subsequent cascade of care.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study included all immigrants and asylum seekers screened for TB and TBI in the Netherlands in 2019-2023. We linked data from the national TB client information system to the Netherlands TB Register to assess TB yield (cases detected per 100,000 screened), TBI prevalence, and treatment initiation and completion, by migrant group, country of birth, and age group.
Findings:
149,214 migrants were included (87,511 immigrants; 61,703 asylum seekers). TB at entry was diagnosed in 69 immigrants and 170 asylum seekers, corresponding to yields of 79 per 100,000 (95% CI 62-100) and 276 per 100,000 (237-320), respectively. Among 202 pulmonary TB cases, 129 (63.9%) was bacteriologically confirmed and 147 (72.8%) did not report cough symptoms. TB treatment completion was 92.8% (64/69) among immigrants and 81.2% (138/170) among asylum seekers. TBI screening included 20,378 immigrants. TBI prevalence increased with age, from 0.6% in children <12 years, 4.4% in adolescents 12-17 years, to 12.9% in adults ≥ 18 years. Among them, 64.6% (31/48), 81.5% (66/81), and 64.7% (663/1024), respectively, initiated and completed treatment.
Interpretation:
Systematic TB and TBI screening among migrants in the Netherlands effectively identifies people with TB, including those without symptoms, and enables TB prevention. These findings support targeted screening policies as a core component of TB prevention and control in low-incidence settings.
Funding:
This work was supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (VWS), the Netherlands.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:23Tuberculosis
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories: