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).

[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.

[Tuberculosis in pregnancy and puerperium].

According to the World HeaLth Organization, tuberculosis (TB) is the third leading cause of death worldwide among women at child bearing age. However, in Israel, a low TB prevalence country, TB in pregnant women is infrequent and infectious pulmonary TB at puerperium is rare. Early diagnosis of TB in pregnancy is challenging because the non-specific symptoms of early TB such as weakness, excess perspiration and tachycardia will usually be attributed to pregnancy.

Geographic and epidemiologic analysis of the cutaneous Leishmaniasis outbreak in northern Israel, 2000-2003.

Background: The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Israel began to rise in 2000, peaking at 41.0 per 100,000 in the Kinneret subdistrict during the first half of 2003.

Objectives: To examine the morbidity rates of CL in northern Israel during the period 1999-2003, which would indicate whether new endemic areas were emerging in this district, and to identify suspicious hosts.