GP practices to provide latent TB screening for patients from high incidence countries and/or who have been exposed to social risk factors. 

Screening involves:

• Identifying eligible patients: at registration, through Flag4 data and/or an EMIS Web Search or on an ad hoc basis
• Taking a T-spot blood test sample on tQuest (order form T-SPOT-TB ) and sending it to the Homerton.
• Taking the appropriate next steps following the results of the test being issued

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

Criteria one

• Age 16-35
• Born or spent more than 6 months in a high incidence country (>150 TB cases per 100,000 population or Sub Saharan Africa)
• Entered the UK in the last 5 years (including entry via other countries)
• no previous history of TB or LBTI
• not previously screened for LTBI in the UK

Criteria two

• Age 16-35
• Social risk factor- current/ex drug user, ex-prisoner, homeless or was homeless, current alcohol misuse
• no previous history of TB or LBTI
• not previously screened for LTBI in the UK

NOTE:  pre-screening in their original country before arrival in the UK is not an exclusion criteria, nor is testing by chest x-ray or other testing for active TB in the UK