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The following is a summary of “Differences found in patient characteristics of migrant tuberculosis sub-populations within low TB incidence European countries, 2014–2020,” published in the June 2025 issue of BMC Infectious Diseases by Jackson et al. 

Efforts in low TB incidence countries to control tuberculosis (TB) historically underlined prevention and care for migrant populations, as understanding their characteristics was crucial for effective planning and provision of appropriate care.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to describe the characteristics of patients with TB within migrant subpopulations in Europe and to identify differences in their patient profiles.  

They analyzed data from migrants with TB reported to the European Surveillance System (TESSy) between 2014 and 2020 from 23 low-incidence European countries. Characteristics of various subgroups were described based on TB epidemiological indicators and the interval between arrival and notification.  

The results showed migrants with TB from very high TB incidence countries had the highest proportion of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) (7%) and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) (44%). Those from high-incidence countries exhibited the highest rates of previous TB diagnosis (14%), first-line resistance (12%), and multidrug resistance (6%). Compared to all patients, individuals from the 10 countries with the highest crude incidence rates (CIR) were younger (median age 25 vs 34) and predominantly male (male-to-female ratio 2.6 vs 1.8). Patients notified within less than 2 years after arrival had increased proportions of pulmonary TB (PTB) (67%), multidrug-resistant TB (4%), and PLWHIV (7%).  

Investigators concluded that unique patient attributes differed by origin and destination, highlighting the need for timely international data, continuous quality tuberculosis care beyond entry, and expanded diagnostic opportunities in European migration settings. 

Source: bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-11085-0