April 2022

*New* CDC's Think. Test. Treat TB. Campaign

CDC launched the Think. Test. Treat TB campaign in March to help raise awareness of TB and recognize the importance of TB prevention.

The partner toolkit provides free resources in English and Vietnamese, including TB messages, digital and print resources, social media content, patient and provider education materials, and other materials for healthcare providers and partners to support TB communication, testing, and treatment efforts.

Medication Shortage Updates

Rifapentine

The FDA is now listing Rifapentine as in shortage. If you have patients needing this medication, please place an order with your medication supplier, even if it has to be a backorder. Then reach out to your supplier's sales representative and let them know you have placed a backorder (provide your account #) and need the medications as soon as possible.

Rifampin

Thru local distributors, rifampin is becoming more available but supplies still may be spotty. If you need this medication and your supplier is out, place a backorder. And contact your sales representative notifying them of your backorder (they will need your account #). 

• For TB medications DOH provides LHJs: follow your normal process for 340B rifampin and send your order thru TBServices@doh.wa.gov.  

For more information about current TB medication shortages, LHJs can visit the Medication Shortages SharePoint page

2022 LTBI/TB Needs Assessment for A/AA and NH/PI-serving Community Health Centers

This TB Elimination Alliance survey aims to collect updated data on Asian/Asian American (A/AA) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI)-serving community health centers’ needs and current protocols for LTBI and TB-related screening, testing, and treatment to inform the need for comprehensive and population specific LTBI and TB practices for high-risk populations. The 30-minute survey closes April 29, 2022.

Information for Local Health Jurisdictions

*New* TB Partners SharePoint Resources

BPaL page updates:

• BPaL Guidance
• BPaL Patient Education
• Options for Obtaining Mobile Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Other Program Resources page update:

• Expanded Exposure Questionnaire: Marshallese – specific contact investigation interview tool developed by Oregon DOH. Questions may be adapted to your local community.

Phlebotomy Training Available

The DOH TB Program is now partnering with the Phlebotomy Training Center at the University of Washington to offer phlebotomy training for LHJ TB program staff to be able to perform TB blood tests. This is a two day in-person training in Seattle that requires one month advance notice to schedule. LHJs who are interested in sending over staff to obtain this certification through June 30, 2023, should contact tbservices@doh.wa.gov.

HRSA 340B Recertification for TB Medications

During the 2022 HRSA 340B recertification period (May-June 2022) all of Washington's Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) will need to be recertified. This annual recertification allows our LHJs to receive TB medications under this federal 340B drug pricing program.  

The State TB program began going through revisions to better meet HRSA requirements. 

• For most LHJs, DOH will recertify your LHJ allowing your continued access to 340B TB medications this year.
• For a few LHJs whose Authorizing Official is an LHJ manager, our program will send you key information enabling you to complete your recertification. 

The WA DOH TB Program will give the LHJs plenty of notice and instruction regarding any changes and what is needed. If you have questions, please contact tbservices@doh.wa.gov.

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities

April 8 & 22, 2022 | What’s New - Finding the New Normal in Family Planning, Opioids, TB, Mental Health, HIV, and STIs

Collaborative training centers are teaming up to bring you a free two-day training designed to increase your knowledge in the topics above.

• Register for Day 1 here
• Register for Day 2 here

April 22, 2022 | UW Tuberculosis Research and Training Center 6th Annual TB Symposium

The symposium will take place in-person at the Orin Smith Auditorium, South Lake Union campus from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. A virtual option is also offered. More information here.

Rutgers TB Grand Rounds

9:00 am - 10:00 am, PT. Regularly scheduled series highlights case presentations and lectures on a wide range of relevant topics in TB. More information here.

• April 15, 2022: Pre-XDR TB
• May 13, 2022: TBD

TB Expert Network: Unplugged

This joint project among CDC's TB Centers of Excellence & Division of TB Elimination provides a forum to discuss challenging or complicated cases with other TB experts. More information here.

• May 5, 2022: Hosted by CDC DTBE
• August 19, 2022: Hosted by Global TB Institute
• October 6, 2022: Hosted by Heartland National TB Center
• December 8, 2022: Hosted by Curry International TB Center

May 10 & 17, 2022 | TB Contact Investigation & Interviewing Basics

This CITC training will cover the basics of TB contact investigations and interviewing. Register here.

May 18, 2022 | Fundamentals of Medical & Case Management of Drug-Susceptible TB

This Curry International TB Center training is an entry-level training for nurses/case managers who are within their first year or two of providing TB case management for patients with active TB. Register here.

May 23-26, 2022 | National TB Conference

NTCA and CTCA leadership is hosting an in-person TB conference. More information here.

May 31-June 3, 2022 | The 2022 Colorado Mycobacteria Conference, Mycobacteria: Focus on NTM

Colorado State University is hosting an in-person conference at Fort Collins, CO. There is an Early Career Travel Grant available for those who qualify. Register here.

June 2022 | TB Case Management for Nurses

This 9-part Global TB Institute interactive course will address specific aspects of nurse TB case management with a focus on practical application. More information here.

Curry International TB Center Trainings in Seattle, WA

• June 13, 2022 | Focus on LTBI
• June 14-15, 2022 | TB Clinical Intensive
• June 16, 2022 | TB Nursing Workshop

September 2022 | SNTC Drug Resistant TB for Clinicians

Save-the-date. Check here as information becomes available.

TB Research & Training Center Seminar Series

This University of Washington seminar features both TB basic science and clinical science presentations, held on the fourth or third Friday of the month from 12-1 pm. More information here.

Washington's TB Project ECHO

12:30-1:30 pm PT. On Mondays join our lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. For more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.

Articles

Tuberculous Pericarditis: A Complex Puzzle to Put Together

EBioMedicine | 10/2015 | doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.10.009 | Read here

Warthin's tumor with necrotizing tuberculous granulomatous inflammation causing severe facial nerve adhesion in parotid gland

Medicine vol. 99,7 | 2/2020 | doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018763 | Read here

In-Person vs Electronic Directly Observed Therapy for Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence

CDC's Division of TB Elimination | 1/2022 | Read here

CDC recommends 4-month regimen for drug-susceptible TB

Healio | 2/2022 | Read here

War in Ukraine could disrupt critical TB services, experts warn

Healio | 3/2022 | Read here

Russia's war with Ukraine is devastating for Ukraine's war on TB

NPR | 3/2022 | Read here

Shorter Treatment for Nonsevere Tuberculosis in African and Indian Children

The New England Journal of Medicine | 3/2022 | doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2104535 | Read here

Tuberculosis — United States, 2021

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report | 3/2022 | doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7112a1 | Read here

Recurrent subclinical tuberculosis among ART accessing participants: Incidence, clinical course, and outcomes

Clinical Infectious Diseases | 3/2022 | doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac185 | Read here

TB Notes 1, 2022

Updates from CDC's Division of TB Elimination | 3/2022 | Read here

Effect of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis in the U.S.

CDC Newsroom Release | 3/2022 | Read here

Public Health Catastrophe Looms in Ukraine, Experts Warn (paywall)

The New York Times | 3/2022 | Read here

Pulmonologists Advise Screening Ukrainian Refugees for TB

Medscape | 4/2022 | Read here

Video Recordings and Education Opportunities

CITC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.

Rutgers TB Institute Archived Trainings

CE units are available for select archives for a limited time frame. Access here.

SNTC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.

CDC: TB 101 for Health Care Workers

CE units expire on 11/6/2023 and are available at no cost. Access here.

TB ECHO Recorded Archives

Missed a TB ECHO^® session? TB ECHO^® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO® here

Tools and Resources

CDC

• CDC Guidance of COVID mRNA Vaccines, TST, and IGRA: Scroll to the "People undergoing testing for tuberculosis infection" section
• CDC Learning Connection.
• CDC TRAIN is a comprehensive catalog of free public health training opportunities from the Public Health Foundation. For TB-related trainings, click here.
• FindTBResources.cdc.gov - TB educational materials for patients and providers.
• Visit Everyday Words for Public Health Communication to find plain language alternatives for public health jargon.
• TB Personal Stories patient videos to help raise awareness about TB in the US.
• we are TB offers comprehensive peer support for current TB patients and TB clinics, including weekly live support group sessions.
• Subscribe to the CDC's quarterly newsletter, TB Notes!

DOH Refugee Health Program

• Afghan Health Resources - This page includes fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources)

Heartland National TB Center

• Stop the Stigma: Eliminating Stigmatizing Language Resources

Southeastern National TB Center

• Individualized Country Guides for Afghanistan and many other countries. Each County Guide is intended to support the provider-foreign-born client relationship by giving country-specific background information, epidemiological data, common misperceptions and beliefs about TB and HIV/AIDS, as well as information about general health practices, cultural beliefs and courtesies to observe.

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