Efficiency of identification of tuberculosis in high-risk groups of the population under extreme conditions conducive to the formation of an epidemic situation

Abstract

An analytical review of scientific literature, international acts and Russian regulatory documents on the issues of implementation of anti-epidemic actions in tuberculosis among the general population and, on a priority basis, in high-risk groups – migrants (refugees and resettlers) are presented. The review is aimed to raise awareness among readers about the RF regulatory environment on this issue, as well as the results of research on migrants’ access to the measures on early detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in Russia. The features of identification of disease cases among migrants have been determined based on the results of observation of the formation of an epidemic situation in the border region of the Russian Federation under extreme conditions and development of a pandemic. In the period before, during the development and after the pandemic, 2268 newly diagnosed and recurrent tuberculosis patients were followed-up, who were identified using various approaches and diagnostic methods: radiation (fluorography + radiography), bacteriological, molecular and genetic, computed tomography, histological studies. There are interesting data on the use of immunological methods. The conclusions: the created regulatory environment to identify, treat and prevent the spread of tuberculosis in the country, including high-risk groups such as migrants/refugees, among whom there are many children, ensured the implementation of controlled anti-epidemic actions under extreme conditions conducive to the formation of an epidemic situation; extreme conditions, including a pandemic/ epidemic of other etiologies, affected the formation of the epidemic situation of tuberculosis, as well as among children and adolescents, in the region; the efficiency of  immunological methods, primarily the recombinant tuberculosis allergen, in the high-risk groups under consideration has been proven.