Tuberculosis in adult migrants in Europe: a TBnet consensus statement.

Abstract

Global migration has increased in recent decades due to war, conflict, persecutions, and natural disasters, but also secondary to increased opportunities related to work or study. Migrants' risk of tuberculosis (TB) differs by reasons for migration, socioeconomic status, mode of travel and TB risk in transit, TB incidence and healthcare provision in country of origin. Despite advances in TB care for migrants and new treatment strategies, decisions for the management of migrants at risk of TB often rely on expert opinions, rather than clinical evidence. A systematic literature search was conducted, studies were mapped to different recommendation groups and included studies were synthesized by meta-analysis where appropriate. Current evidence on diagnosis of active TB in migrants entering the European Union /European Economic Area (EU/EEA) &UK including the clinical presentation and diagnostic delay, treatment outcomes of drug susceptible TB, prevalence and treatment outcomes of multidrug/rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR)-TB and TB/HIV co-infection was summarised. A consensus process was used based on the evidence. We document a higher vulnerability of migrants for TB, including an increased risk of extrapulmonary TB, MDR/RR-TB, TB/HIV co-infection and worse TB treatment outcomes compared to host populations. Consensus recommendations include screening of migrants for TB/ latent TB infection (LTBI) according to country data; a minimal package for TB care in drug susceptible and MDR/RR-TB; implementation of migrant-sensitive strategies; free healthcare and preventive treatment for migrants with HIV co-infection. Dedicated care for TB prevention and treatment in migrant populations within the EU/EEA &UK is essential.