Abstract
BackgroundThere is a global commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB). It is critical to detect and treat cases of latent TB infection (LTBI), the reservoir of new TB cases. Our study assesses trends in publication of LTBI-related research.MethodsWe used the keywords (“latent tuberculosis” OR “LTBI” OR “latent TB”) to search the Web of Science for LTBI-related articles published 1995–2018, then classified the results into three research areas: laboratory sciences, clinical research, and public health. We calculated the proportions of LTBI-related articles in each area to three areas combined, the average rates of LTBI-related to all scientific and TB-related articles, and the average annual percent changes (AAPC) in rates for all countries and for the top 13 countries individually and combined publishing LTBI research.ResultsThe proportion of LTBI-related articles increased over time in all research areas, with the highest AAPC in laboratory (38.2%/yr), followed by public health (22.9%/yr) and clinical (15.1%/yr). South Africa (rate ratio [RR] = 8.28, 95% CI 5.68 to 12.08) and India (RR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.74 to 3.69) had higher RRs of overall TB-related articles to all articles, but did not outperform the average of the top 13 countries in the RRs of LTBI-related articles to TB-related articles. Italy (RR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.63), Canada (RR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.34), and Spain (RR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.07) had higher RRs of LTBI-related articles to TB-related articles.ConclusionsHigh TB burden countries (TB incidence > 100 per 100,000 population) published more overall TB-related research, whereas low TB burden countries showed greater focus on LTBI. Given the potential benefits, high TB burden countries should consider increasing their emphasis on LTBI-related research.
Highlights
There is a global commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB)
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the End TB Strategy, which aims for a 90% reduction in TB incidence and a 95% reduction in TB mortality by the
As similar comprehensive assessments have not been done for latent TB infection (LTBI) research, it is unclear whether the global trend in scientific publications for LTBI has been increasing
Summary
There is a global commitment to eliminating tuberculosis (TB). It is critical to detect and treat cases of latent TB infection (LTBI), the reservoir of new TB cases. Our study assesses trends in publication of LTBI-related research. One of the targets in the End TB Strategy is 90% preventive treatment coverage, which relates to the detection and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) cases prior to their progression to active TB disease [1]. Intensifying efforts to detect and treat LTBI could help reduce the reservoir of potential TB cases and contribute to the reduction and eventual elimination of TB incidence. Global efforts to intensify TB prevention, control, and research activities have resulted in a large number of scientific publications about TB. As similar comprehensive assessments have not been done for LTBI research, it is unclear whether the global trend in scientific publications for LTBI has been increasing. This study aimed to investigate the research trends in LTBI at the global level and to analyze gaps in research emphasis in selected countries
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