Epidemiology and Management of Adolescent Tuberculosis
Summary
Adolescence represents a critical window in the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, characterised by a rising incidence that mirrors adult‐type pulmonary disease and an increased risk of transmission. Epidemiological data reveal that infection risk escalates during puberty, driven by immunological shifts, intensified social mixing and behavioural factors. In high‐burden settings, adolescents often present late, with subclinical symptoms or minimal cough, leading to diagnostic delays and sustained community transmission. Management strategies must therefore address age‐specific challenges: robust active screening in schools and community settings; rapid, sensitive diagnostics; adherence support for prolonged therapy; and the integration of psychosocial interventions. Novel approaches include preventive therapy targeted to latently infected adolescents, adolescent‐friendly treatment services and digital technologies to monitor adherence. Addressing comorbidities such as HIV and malnutrition, and emerging challenges posed by drug resistance, further demands tailored regimens and multidisciplinary support. Global initiatives now emphasise the importance of empowering young people, engaging schools and leveraging community networks to break transmission chains, ultimately reducing the burden of TB in this vulnerable age group.
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Epidemiology and Management of Adolescent Tuberculosis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology and management of adolescent tuberculosis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Incidence: The number of new TB cases occurring in a specified population during a given time period, expressed per 100,000 individuals.
Latent TB infection (LTBI): A state in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides in the host without causing active disease but poses a risk of future reactivation.
Spatiotemporal clustering: The non‐random aggregation of disease cases in both space and time, indicating focal points of transmission.
Xpert MTB/RIF: A molecular assay that detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA and rifampicin resistance directly from clinical specimens.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL): A procedure that collects fluid from the lower respiratory tract to improve diagnostic yield for pulmonary infections.
References
- Further analysis of tuberculosis in eight high-burden countries based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data. Infectious Diseases of Poverty (2024).
- Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Clustering of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among Students in Southwest China From 2016 to 2022: Analysis of Population-Based Surveillance Data. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (2024).
- The role of Xpert MTB/RIF using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in active screening: insights from a tuberculosis outbreak in a junior school in eastern China. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
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