Publications by authors named "T K Venkatappa"

Introduction: Identifying tuberculosis infection (TBI) using interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) is a primary component of clinical and public health efforts to prevent pediatric tuberculosis (TB). Pediatric data comparing the 2 IGRAs in the United States are very limited. We compared the performance of the 2 IGRAs among a large pediatric cohort tested for TBI and assessed whether discordance might be due to quantitative results close to test cutoff values.

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Background: The objective of this study was to investigate timing and risk factors for discontinuation of short-course tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) comparing directly observed 3-month isoniazid/rifapentine (3HP) vs self-administered 4-month rifampin (4R).

Methods: This was a subanalysis of a 6-month health department cohort (2016-2017) of 993 latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) patients initiating 3HP (20%) or 4R (80%). Time at risk of TPT discontinuation was compared across regimens.

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Background: Close contacts infected with are at high risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease and a priority for preventive treatment. Three tests measure infection: two interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) and the tuberculin skin test (TST). The objective of our study was to assess the association of positive test results in contacts with infectiousness of the presumed TB source case.

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Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem, especially among people experiencing homelessness (PEH). The Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis issued recommendations in 1992 for TB prevention and control among PEH. Our goal was to provide current guidelines and information in one place to inform medical and public health providers and TB programs on TB incidence, diagnosis, and treatment among PEH.

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in behavioral health services (BHS), essential for people experiencing homelessness (PEH). BHS changes created barriers to care and opportunities for innovative strategies for reaching PEH. The authors conducted 50 qualitative interviews with behavioral health providers in the USA during August-October 2020 to explore their observations of BHS changes for PEH.

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