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Home My WebLink Abouttb-provider-guide-2- Tuberculosis Provider’s Guide: • Diagnosis and Treatment of Active Tuberculosis (TB) Disease • Screening and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Public Health Department Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention - TB Control Section Phone: (510) 667–3096 Fax: (510) 273–3916 Last Updated: January 2026 MANDATORY CALIFORNIA TUBERCULOSIS REPORTING GUIDELINES WHO MUST REPORT WHEN TO REPORT HOW TO REPORT WHY REPORT  ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS  LABORATORY DIRECTORS Title 17 California Code of Regulations, Chapter 4, Section 2500, requires medical providers, laboratories, hospitals and other facilities to report all suspected and confirmed tuberculosis (TB) cases to the Alameda County Public Health Department within one working day of diagnosis  Suspected TB case means there is high enough suspicion, based on clinical judgment, to start treatment for active TB disease  Confirmed TB case means there is clinical, radiographic or laboratory evidence confirming active TB  WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY  TB suspects or confirmed cases identified in Alameda County must be reported to Alameda County Public Health regardless of where the patient resides  TB suspects or confirmed cases who are Alameda County residents but are hospitalized in other counties are still followed by Alameda County Public Health  Call Alameda County TB Control at: (510) 667-3096  The TB Confidential Reporting Form is available on our website.  Fax TB Reporting Form to: (510) 273-3916  Timely reporting allows the Public Health Department to: • Take appropriate measures to prevent further TB transmission throughout the community • Investigate potential sources of infection in young children DISCHARGE OR TRANSFER OF TB SUSPECTS AND CONFIRMED CASES FROM HEALTH FACILITIES, LOCAL DETENTION FACILITIES, OR STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS California Health and Safety Code 121361 (“Gotch”) requires all health facilities to obtain approval of a written treatment plan from the Public Health Department before releasing or transferring any person known to have confirmed or suspected active tuberculosis disease WHO SHOULD REQUEST DISCHARGE APPROVAL WHEN TO REQUEST A DISCHARGE APPROVAL HOW TO REQUEST DISCHARGE APPROVAL WHY IS DISCHARGE APPROVAL NEEDED  Physicians  Infection Control Practitioners, Nurse Case Managers and Discharge Planners, Medical Social Workers Request discharge approval even if patient was hospitalized for reasons other than TB and/or the patient has a known diagnosis of pulmonary or extra-pulmonary TB upon hospital admission  Request discharge at least 24 hours prior to the anticipated date of discharge; Public Health has 24 hours to respond  Approval is not required for transfer to an acute care hospital due to immediate need for a higher level of care  Fax ACPHD TB Discharge/Transfer Treatment Plan to Public Health: (510) 273–3916  Fax chest imaging reports  Fax acid fast bacilli results; indicate volume of sputum specimens  Fax discharge summaries and relevant consult notes.  Other records may also be requested  Continuity of care: Public Health is mandated to track TB cases and suspects through completion of treatment  Prevent further transmission; conduct household evaluation, identify high risk contacts before approving discharge Please call TB Control and request medical consultation for any questions regarding when to start TB treatment in absence of microbiologic evidence of TB disease WHEN TO SUSPECT TB? • Making the diagnosis of TB often requires suspecting or considering TB in the differential diagnosis (Think TB!) • A critical first step in making a diagnosis of TB is conducting a thorough history Medical History of a Patient with Suspected TB Symptoms of TB • • Other Symptoms: Weight loss, Fatigue, Fever, Night sweats, Loss of appetite • Extrapulmonary symptoms: Lymph Node (Lymph node swelling or drainage); Meningitis (Headache, Fever, Neck stiffness); etc. Risk of TB exposure • • Factors to consider: Homelessness, Incarcerated or history of incarceration, Healthcare worker with high-risk for TB exposure or previously untreated LTBI History of TB treatment • • LTBI that has not been treated or was inadequately treated High risk for progression to active TB dx • • • TNF-alpha antagonist use • Chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive medication • Organ transplant recipient with use of • LTBI diagnosed in the past 2 years, and has not been immune suppressants treated • Silicosis • CXR with apical fibronodular fibrosis • End-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis • An important second step is to obtain imaging and clinical specimens to help confirm the diagnosis of TB disease Imaging and Clinical Specimens Imaging •Microbiology •• Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) (note: Two sputum specimens should be sent for TB PCR) • Gastric aspirates as indicated •Biopsy of tissue •• Bone • FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING TB TREATMENT • Report all patients who are started on TB medications for treatment of active TB disease • If you have questions regarding when to start TB treatment in the absence of microbiologic evidence of TB disease, then please call Alameda County TB Control at (510) 667–3096 • Several factors including patient, laboratory and radiographic evidence, clinical status and suspicion, and public health factors need to be considered when starting TB treatment. Some factors outlined in the 2016 TB Treatment guidelines are displayed in the figure below: Figure taken from: Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63(7):853–867. DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ACTIVE TB CASES (SUSPECTS* AND CASES) Days 1-2 • Isolate patient while work-up underway • Collect 3 sputum specimens a minimum of every 8 hours apart with at least one AM specimen, and send all specimens for AFB smear and culture • Sputa required even for extrapulmonary TB • Two of the 3 sputum specimens should also be sent for TB PCR or NAAT • Start TB therapy with 4 drugs • Report to Public Health • Determine need for Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).1 Call Public Health for questions about DOT Weeks 1-2 • If AFB sputum smear positive at baseline, then: • Collect one sputum per week until smear negative • Once negative, collect 2 additional sputa until 3 consecutive AFB smear negative specimens obtained • Patient may not return to work or school until TB Control has approved release from isolation • Decisions regarding release from isolation are made based on State Health Department Guidance2 Month 2 • Obtain radiographic imaging to determine response to therapy • Pulmonary TB duration of therapy will depend on: Presence of cavity on initial CXR, culture conversion, and response to TB therapy • Extrapulmonary TB duration depends on: Response to TB therapy and site of TB disease End of Treatment • Collect 3 additional sputa if culture-positive TB • Repeat imaging to obtain end of therapy baseline *TB Suspect = TB in differential dx and being worked up. Empiric TB treatment may be started based on clinical suspicion and patient’s clinical status. 1. CDPH DOT guidance 2. Infectiousness guidelines Months 1-2 •Continue collecting 3 additional sputa monthly until culture conversion documented. If culture conversion is not documented by 2 months, then 3 sputa need to be collected monthly until evidence of culture conversion BASELINE AND FOLLOW UP EVALUATIONS FOR A 6 or 9 MONTH PULMONARY TB REGIMEN Activity Baseline Month of Treatment Completed End of Treatment Microbiology Sputum smears and culture1 X X X X1 X1 X X X X NAAT or TB PCR XX (2 specimens) Drug susceptibility testing (DST)2 X X2 Imaging Chest X-ray or other imaging3 X X3 X X X X Clinical Assessment Weight X X X X X X X X Symptoms, side effects, adherence X X X X X X X X Vision assessment4 X X X X4 X4 X4 X4 X4 Laboratory LFTs5 (AST, ALT, Alk Phos, Bilirubin)X X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 CBC5 X X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 Creatinine5 X X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 X5 HIV X Hepatitis B and C screen6 X Diabetes screen7 X Note: Since TB patients are at increased risk for relapse 12 months after completion of TB treatment, follow-up imaging and sputum smears and cultures are recommended. 1. If culture conversion has not been documented by 2 months, then additional sputum smears and cultures are recommended 2. Repeat DST should be performed if culture-positive at 3 months; molecular testing should be performed in patients at risk for drug resistance 3. Imaging required at 2 months to document clinical improvement 4. Vision assessment not indicated if ethambutol is discontinued 5. Further laboratory monitoring if baseline abnormalities or clinically indicated 6. Patients with HBV or HCV risk factors (e.g., injection drug use, HIV+, or birth in Asia or Africa) should be screened 7. Patients with diabetes risk factors (e.g., aged > 45 years old; BMI >25 mg/kg2; first degree relative with diabetes; or race/ethnicity of African American, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander) should be screened STANDARD TB MEDICATIONS Please consult Alameda County TB Control Staff for usage of alternative TB medications Isoniazid (INH) Tablets: 300 mg, 100 mg Suspension: 50 mg/5 ml Daily Adults: 5 mg/kg/day up to 300 mg Children: 10–15 mg/kg/day up to 300 mg neuropathy; mild CNS effects; skin rash; increased phenytoin levels. LFTs at baseline. Routine monitoring of LFTs if h/o liver dz, pregnant, HIV+, or other concurrent hepatotoxic drugs used. mg/day to prevent neuropathy in patients who are elderly, pregnant, or have diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, HIV, seizure d/o, existing or new-onset peripheral neuropathy, or alcohol abuse. Rifampin (RIF) Capsules: 300 mg, 150 mg Daily Adults: 10 mg/kg/day, typically 600 mg Children: 10–20 mg/kg/day up to 600 mg discoloration of secretions; cholestatic hepatitis; febrile (flu-like) reaction; thrombocytopenia; drug interactions; skin rash. Baseline CBC. orange discoloration of urine/other body secretions as well as discoloration of contact lenses. Induces hepatic microsomal enzymes. Significant interactions with some HIV antiretroviral agents. Ethambutol (EMB) Tablets: 400 mg, 100 mg Daily Adults: 15–25 mg/kg/day (1600 mg/day max dose) Children: 15–25 mg/kg/day (2000 mg/day max) rare at 15mg/kg if renal function is normal; usually reversible if drug stopped. Skin rash. discrimination and visual acuity done at baseline and monthly. Baseline creatinine. needed for renal disease; dose AFTER dialysis sessions. Use with caution if visual testing is not feasible (e.g. children under the age of 5). Pyrazinamide (PZA) Tablets: 500 mg Daily Adults: 20–25 mg/kg/day (2000 mg/day max) Children: 30–40 mg/kg/day (2000 mg/day max) hyperuricemia; arthralgias; photosensitive dermatitis. Baseline creatinine. needed for renal disease; dose AFTER dialysis sessions. Safety not established in pregnancy. FIRSTLINE ADULT TB DRUG SCHEDULE ACCORDING TO WEIGHT Drug Weight in kilograms (kg) Dose in milligrams (mg) Isoniazid (INH) 30 - 35 kg 150 mg 36 - 40 kg 200 mg > 40 kg 300 mg Rifampin (RIF) < 45 kg 450 mg ≥ Ethambutol (EMB)* *EMB daily dose calculated based on a target of 15 mg/kg. 22 - 26 kg 400 mg 27 - 40 kg 600 mg 41 - 53 kg 800 mg 54 - 66 kg 1000 mg 67 - 80 kg 1200 mg 81 - 93 kg 1400 mg ≥ 94 kg 1600 mg Pyrazinamide (PZA)** **PZA daily dose calculated based on a target range of between 20 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg 40 - 50 kg 1000 mg 51 - 60 kg 1250 mg 61 - 68 kg 1500 mg 69 - 75 kg 1750 mg ≥ 76 kg 2000 mg Note: The recommended EMB and PZA dose for patients with a creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min is: • EMB 20 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg three times per week • PZA 25 mg/kg to 35 mg/kg three times per week LATENT TB INFECTION (LTBI) What is LTBI? LTBI is the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the body without signs and symptoms or radiographic or bacteriologic evidence of active TB disease Who should be screened for LTBI?  A standardized risk assessment should be utilized when deciding to screen for LTBI  Routine testing of low-risk populations is not recommended because it may result in unnecessary testing and treatment due to false-positive results  For individuals who are known contacts to patients with infectious TB disease, the Alameda County Public Health Department will send out a separate letter with instructions for testing and recommendations for treatment • If you do not know if a patient is a known contact, then please call Alameda County TB Control at (510) 667–3096 Are there sample risk assessment tools?  For adults, the California Department of Public Health TB risk assessment tool can be utilized 1 • LTBI screening is recommended if any of the 3 risk factors below are checked: □ Foreign-born from a country with an elevated TB rate o Includes any country other than the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or a country in Western or Northern Europe □ Immunosuppression current or planned o HIV infection, organ transplant recipient, treated with TNF-alpha antagonist (e.g., infliximab, etanercept, others), steroids (equivalent of prednisone ≥15 mg/day for ≥1 month) or other immunosuppressive medication □ Close contact to someone with infectious TB disease at any time  For pediatric patients, the California Department of Public Health TB risk assessment for pediatrics can be utilized 2 • LTBI screening is recommended if any of the 4 risk factors below are checked: □ Foreign-born from a country with an elevated TB rate (similar definition as adult risk assessment) □ Immunosuppression current or planned (similar definition as adult risk assessment) □ Close contact to someone with infectious TB disease at any time □ Foreign travel or residence of ≥ 1 month consecutively in a country with an elevated TB rate 1. California Department of Public Health TB risk assessment tool 2. California Department of Public Health TB risk assessment for pediatrics LTBI TESTING and TREATMENT How should I test for LTBI?  There are two types of tests available: • Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) [e.g. QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube or T-SPOT®.TB] • Tuberculin skin tests (TSTs), which are known as Mantoux TST or purified protein derivative (PPD)  IGRAs are the preferred test over TSTs because: • Not affected by BCG vaccination and most non-tuberculous mycobacteria • No need for a return visit for interpretation of the test • Interpretation is objective • Test result can be easily located in the electronic medical record  If an IGRA is not available or the patient refuses a blood draw, then the TST is an acceptable alternative screening test for LTBI  Although current CDC guidelines do not recommend IGRA for screening of healthy children aged < 5 years old, the California Department of Public Health as well as pediatric infectious disease experts have recommended the IGRA over the TST for foreign-born children aged ≥ 2 years old What do I do if I have a positive test for LTBI?  Obtain a chest x-ray and conduct a symptom review and physical exam to rule out active TB disease (note: for more information see pages titled Frequently Asked Questions Regarding LTBI and When to Suspect TB?) What should I prescribe for treatment of LTBI?  Short course treatment regimens (e.g., isoniazid and rifapentine, or rifampin) are preferred for treating LTBI because of higher completion rates and lower hepatotoxicity compared to 9 months of isoniazid • Check for drug-drug interactions before starting rifampin or rifapentine  For patients who have LTBI and have been exposed to a patient with: • INH-resistant TB disease, then treat LTBI with rifampin • Multidrug-resistant TB disease, then call Alameda County TB Control at (510) 667–3096 Q: How should I rule out active TB disease before starting LTBI treatment? Q: How often should the LTBI risk assessment be performed? Q: Is there a way to further prioritize LTBI screening among adults? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING LTBI A:  For all patients, ask about signs and symptoms of TB disease, conduct a physical exam, and obtain a PA/Lateral CXR • If there are no symptoms of active TB disease and the CXR is normal, start LTBI treatment • If the patient has any symptoms of active TB disease or the CXR is abnormal (does not include calcified granulomas or isolated pleural thickening), then evaluate for TB disease o Evaluation for TB disease includes all of the following:  Obtain induced or expectorated sputum x 3 for AFB smear and culture. Sputum specimens should be 8 hours apart, and at least one specimen should be from the early AM  An adequate sputum specimen is 3–5 ml  Send two sputum specimen for TB PCR or NAAT  Follow-up AFB cultures until finalized at 6–8 weeks o If evaluation for TB disease is negative, then start LTBI treatment A:  An assessment should be performed upon entry into care • For pediatric patients the risk assessment (i.e., asking the screening questions) should be conducted annually  Patients with a negative risk assessment should have a subsequent annual risk assessment if new risk factors are present • If it is unclear if a patient has acquired a new risk factor, then the risk assessment questionnaire should be administered A:  If resources do not allow for testing all foreign-born persons, then prioritize those foreign-born who also have one of the following medical conditions that increase the risk for progression of TB disease • Diabetes • Smoker within past year • End-stage renal disease • Leukemia or lymphoma • Head and neck cancer • Silicosis • Intestinal bypass/gastrectomy • Chronic malabsorption • BMI ≤ 20 • CXR findings of previous or inactive TB disease (does not include isolated pleural thickening or calcified granuloma) TREATMENT OF LTBI Drug Duration Dose (Maximum) Comments Preferre d Re gi mens Isoniazid (INH) and Rifapentine (RPT) 12 weeks (12 doses) Adults and Children ≥ 2 years old: INH:  25 mg/kg weekly rounded to nearest 50/100 mg in patients aged 2–11 years old  15 mg/kg weekly rounded to nearest 50/100 mg in patients aged ≥ 12 years old (900 mg) RPT: • 10.0 – 14.0 kg: 300 mg weekly • 14.1 – 25.0 kg: 450 mg weekly • 25.1 – 32.0 kg: 600 mg weekly • 32.1 – 49.9 kg: 750 mg weekly • ≥ 50.0 kg: 900 mg (max) weekly ** Administration via directly observed preventive therapy (DOPT) is recommended. However, preliminary data suggest that self-administered therapy (SAT) is non-inferior to DOPT in the United States. Many clinicians are using SAT or modified DOPT. ** Review concomitant medications to determine drug-drug interactions ** Administer with 25 mg pyridoxine weekly in patients with increased risk of peripheral neuropathy (e.g., diabetes, alcoholism, renal failure, HIV, pregnancy, breast feeding) Regimen NOT recommended for: • Children younger than 2 yrs; • HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral meds; • Possible exposure to INH or RIF-resistant TB; • Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant while on treatment Rifampin (RIF) Adults: Adults: ** Interacts with many medications including some antiretrovirals ** Review concomitant medications to determine drug-drug interactions Children4 months (120 doses) Children10–20 mg/kg (600 mg) daily Acc e pta ble Re gi men Isoniazid (INH) 9 months (270 doses) Adults: 5 mg/kg (300 mg) daily ** Administer with pyridoxine 25 mg daily in patients with increased risk of peripheral neuropathy (e.g., diabetes, alcoholism, renal failure, HIV, pregnancy, breast feeding) Children: 10–15 mg/kg (300 mg) daily