The 56th Annual Denver TB Course April 2019

Since the introduction of effective chemotherapy, many changes have come about in the management of tuberculosis (TB). Most important have been the shift from sanatoria-based to general hospital and clinic-based treatment and the knowledge that active disease can reliably be prevented among those who are latently infected. With the development of effective drugs for TB, the significant advances in bacteriology, and increased knowledge about the treatment of latent TB infection, the approach to tuberculosis control has become increasingly sophisticated.

The Denver TB Course provides a broad overview of active and latent TB including its epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management. The purpose of this course is to present this body of knowledge to general internists, epidemiologists, preventative medicine, public health, infectious disease and chest specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other health care providers who will be responsible for the management and care of patients with tuberculosis.

Course Highlights:

• Epidemiology of tuberculosis

• Transmission and pathogenesis

• Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis including MDR/XDR-TB

• Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection

• Emphasis on vulnerable populations such as pediatric and HIV co-infection

• Contact Investigation Workshop lead by physicians, TB nurses and outreach workers

View the agenda (PDF).

CME Credits 22.25 | Nursing Contact Hours 26.7

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the epidemiological features which are associated with increased risk for tuberculosis.

• Explain the clinical manifestations of tuberculosis and how they differ in unique patient populations such as pediatrics or HIV co-infection.

• Recognize the tools available for diagnosis of tuberculosis and their differences, advantages, and possible shortcomings.

• Formulate a treatment regimen for a patient with drug susceptible or drug resistant tuberculosis while understanding the pharmacokinetics and potential toxicities of that regimen.

• Discuss the importance and performance of contact investigation among persons exposed to new cases of communicable TB.