tuberculosis screening among expatriate in bahrain

The majority of expatriate tb cases were identified in bahrain mainly through passive case finding. expatriate with ltbi have a 10% risk of developing active tb during their lifetime, with the greatest risk being within 2, 3 years of country entry. expatriate tb was highest in labors between 20-49 years age group. the key to control tb in bahrain is either to add ppd testing or doing igra, for all pre-employment during expatriate entry to the kingdom. ppd testing is remaining the preferred method with igras as a supplemental assay in subjects more than 2 years of age. if either tst or igra are positive, then active disease must be excluded by chest x-ray and sputum for microscopy and culture. diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection are considered an essential component of tb control strategy and should be a major component of the overall public health plan for controlling tb in bahrain.