Risk of TB disease in individuals with cancer.

Background: Cancer increases the risk of developing TB disease; however, there are limited data on the magnitude of risk by cancer type and timing after diagnosis of cancer in low TB incidence settings.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study of persons in Quebec between 1993 and 2017, including people with TB disease and matched controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of developing TB among people with cancer overall, by sub-type, and by time from cancer to TB diagnosis.

Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza during 2022.

As part of its role in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 12,073 human influenza positive samples during 2022. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hen's eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines.

Patterns and characteristics of TB among key risk groups in Canada, 1993-2018.

Canada has a low incidence of TB, although certain groups are disproportionately affected. To describe and compare the epidemiology, trends and characteristics of TB in Quebec, Canada, among all patients reported during 1993-2018. Demographics and risk factors were compared for the three groups accounting for most TB diagnoses reported in Quebec (foreign-born, Canadian-born non-Indigenous and Inuit).

Risk of latent and active tuberculosis infection in travellers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Achieving tuberculosis (TB) elimination in low TB incidence countries requires identification and treatment of individuals at risk for latent TB infection (LTBI). Persons travelling to high TB incidence countries are potentially at risk for TB exposure. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimates incident LTBI and active TB among individuals travelling from low to higher TB incidence countries.

Spatial distribution of tuberculosis in a rural region of Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

Introduction: There is a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the Western Province, Papua New Guinea. This study aims to describe the spatial distribution of TB in the Balimo District Hospital (BDH) catchment area to identify TB patient clusters and factors associated with high rates of TB.

Methods: Information about TB patients was obtained from the BDH TB patient register for the period 26 April 2013 to 25 February 2017.