Implementing and evaluating standardised tuberculosis incident management for nonhousehold contacts in a large clinical network.

The strategy to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in low-incidence countries includes the investigation of the contacts of TB cases [1]. This recognises that whilst most TB disease in these settings is due to reactivation [2], local transmission also occurs [3]. In the UK, TB networks (TBN), which support and coordinate local and regional TB services, typically follow National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance which recommends screening close contacts (predominantly household) but not routinely for social or non-household contacts [4]. Many studies from low TB burden countries report contact investigation for specific congregate settings including outbreaks in child-care centres [5], homeless facilities [6] and methadone treatment clinics [7]. However, the comprehensive application of contact investigation across multiple non-household locations is rarely reported. We evaluated, therefore, a systematic approach to managing people potentially exposed to TB in congregate settings. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Benjamin Patterson has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Sudy Anaraki has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Jacqui White has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Marc Lipman has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Jennifer Dekoningh has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Narinder Boparai has nothing to disclose.