Latent Tuberculosis Treatment among Hard-to-Reach Ethiopian Immigrants: Nurse-Managed Directly Observed versus Self-Administered Isoniazid Therapy.

Background: The treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among high-risk populations is an essential component of Tuberculosis (TB) elimination. However, non-compliance with LTBI treatment remains a major obstacle hindering TB elimination efforts. We have previously reported high treatment compliance with nurse-managed, twice-weekly, directly observed Isoniazid treatment (DOT) for LTBI among hard-to-reach Ethiopian immigrants (EI's).

Biometric monitoring in silicosis to detect early disease and monitor lung injury: not quite there.

http://ow.ly/qRrB303lMDg.

Tuberculosis during Pregnancy in Northern Israel, 2002-2012: Epidemiology and Clinical Practices.

Background: Atypical presentation of tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy may cause diagnostic delay and adversely influence pregnancy outcome.

Objectives: To examine the incidence and clinical and epidemiological features of TB during pregnancy and investigate infection control measures at delivery and during the postpartum period.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all reported cases of TB diagnosed during pregnancy to 6 months postpartum in Israel's Northern Health District (2002-2012).

An 80-year-old man with a right upper lobe opacity.

Background And Aims: The differential diagnosis of a right upper lobe pulmonary opacity in an elderly afebrile patient includes infectious and malignant etiology. However, unilateral lung edema should also be included in the differential diagnosis.

Methods: Case report of an 80-year-old afebrile patient who presented with cough, dyspnea and blood-tinged sputum and had an isolated right upper lobe infiltrate on chest X-ray on whom a diagnostic work-up including computed tomography scan of the chest and echocardiography was performed.

Tuberculosis outbreak in an immigrant reception center in Israel: a clinical and epidemiologic perspective.

Tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in congregate settings pose a public health concern and a clinical challenge. We report a TB outbreak involving 6 cases of active TB among 28 recent Ethiopian immigrants (EIs) in an immigrant reception center in Israel. The outbreak erupted several weeks after a meticulous pre-immigration TB screening of this group.

[Compliance with latent tuberculosis treatment: a public health challenge].

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infectious cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly in developing countries. Since the incidence of TB has decreased in the developed countries, the role of diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI), has assumed increasing importance as a public health measure to control TB. It is estimated that 5-10% of persons with LTBI go on to develop TB; therefore, the crucial role of LTBI treatment in eliminating TB is well recognized.

[Accessibility and compliance of Ethiopian immigrants to latent tuberculosis infection treatment].

Background: Since the incidence of TB has decreased in the developed countries, the diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) has assumed increasing importance. It is estimated that 5-10% of persons with LTBI go on to develop TB; therefore, the crucial role of LTBI treatment in eliminating TB is well recognized. However, levels of adherence are found to be consistently low, and noncompliance constitutes the major barrier for achieving the full benefits of LTBI treatment.

Indolent pneumonia in a pregnant recent immigrant from Ethiopia: think TB.

Time delay to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis remains a public health concern. In pregnancy, early TB diagnosis is challenging and acquires further significance due to the risk of infection of the newborn as well as others in the maternity setting. We report a delay of 12 weeks in the diagnosis of TB in a pregnant recent immigrant from Ethiopia to Israel.

Chest radiography validity in screening pulmonary tuberculosis in immigrants from a high-burden country.

Background: Chest x-ray (CXR) is widely used for diagnosing and screening pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), yet its validity is debatable and its costs are relatively high. This study aimed to determine the validity of CXR screening in detecting radiological findings compatible with active PTB or with old healed tuberculosis (OHTB).

Methods: All Ethiopian immigrants to Israel between 2001 and 2005 were radiographed before emigration.

Sarcoidosis in residents of northern Israel of Arabic and Jewish origin: a comparative study.

Background: This study describes the features of sarcoidosis among Arab patients and compares it to Jewish patients residing in northern Israel.

Methods: All new cases of biopsy-confirmed sarcoidosis diagnosed between 1980 and 1996 in northern Israel were divided into two groups according to their ethnic origin: Jewish (n = 72) and Arabic (n = 48). Disease parameters were recorded and compared.

Epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric active tuberculosis among immigrants from high to low tuberculosis-endemic countries: the Israeli experience.

Background: During the last decade, Israel, a country with low tuberculosis rates, absorbed some 900,000 new immigrants from TB-endemic countries.

Objectives: To analyze the specific impact of our screening procedures on active TB among children in Israel.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of epidemiologic and clinical data of all children (aged 0-17) with TB notified to the Ministry of Health between 1990 and 1999.

Large lungs in divers: natural selection or a training effect?

Background: Normal spirometry is required for medical clearance of professional divers in many countries. Divers frequently have unusually large lung volumes associated with a low ratio of FEV(1) to FVC (FEV(1)%), suggestive of obstructive airways disease. We retrospectively analyzed the records of divers in the Israeli Navy with a low FEV(1)% who fulfilled the criteria for large lungs, to determine whether this might be the effect of training or natural selection.

Swimming-induced pulmonary edema: clinical presentation and serial lung function.

Background: Acute pulmonary edema has been noted in swimmers and divers, and has been termed swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE). The mechanisms and consequences of SIPE are unknown, and there are currently no series of carefully evaluated patients with this condition. Herein we report the clinical presentation, incidence of recurrence, findings on physical examination, chest radiography, and oxygen saturation in 70 trainees with a diagnosis of SIPE.

Circumstances leading to the formulation and implementation of a new TB control program in Israel: a case study in public health and policy.

We describe how Israel effected new tuberculosis programs and policies beginning in the early 1990s. We explain how the epidemiology of the disease, particular events, and a small number of people influenced the creation of new policy. We believe that this story may be useful to other program managers and policymakers interested in changing course.

[The new national program for tuberculosis elimination in Israel].

Background: The rise in the incidence of TB in Israel, mostly due to immigration from endemic areas, led to the establishment of a new TB control program which follows the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Reorganization of the TB infrastructure was enabled by specific legislative, administrative and budgetary measures initiated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in conjunction with the Sick Funds.

Aim: To present the theoretical and practical aspects of this new program to the physicians of Israel.

[Tuberculosis in Israel--main epidemiological aspects].

Background: In the last decade, tuberculosis (TB) has re-emerged as a major worldwide disease and also as a significant disease in Israel, particularly in the context of public health. In 1993, TB was declared a "global emergency" by the World Health Organization and in 1996, it was declared a "dangerous infectious disease" by the Israeli Ministry of Health.

Aim: This article aims to provide an epidemiological update on TB to the practicing physician in Israel.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of massive polyposis in asthmatic patients.

The association between asthma and sinonasal disease has been known for years. Effective treatment of sinonasal disease, which is one of the factors that exacerbate asthma, may also improve and stabilize the asthmatic condition. This study examines the outcome of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on asthmatic patients with massive nasal polyposis.

Compliance to treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a region of Israel.

Background: One of the measures adopted in Israel since 1959 as part of the tuberculosis control program was screening children aged 12-13 years old. The screening comprised single-step tuberculin skin testing using the Mantoux method.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of tuberculin skin screening for TB in schoolchildren in southwestern Israel as well as the compliance to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection.