OBJECTIVEThe study investigated the burden of smear-positive pulmonary TB and its infectivity using DALY (disability-adjusted life year) as an indicator.

METHODSAn assumed cohort of 2,000 cases was set up based on the age-specific incidence of 794 newly registered smear-positive cases in Beijing in 1994. Prognostic trees and model diagrams of infectivity under natural history and DOTS(directly observed treatment, short-course) strategy were established according to the epidemiological evidence.

RESULTSThe results showed that 29.6% of DALYs would be neglected if the burden caused by the infectivity was not considered.

CONCLUSIONDOTS strategy may reduce 97.3% of the number of potential cases infected, 92.9% of DALYs related to TB-patients themselves, and 99.9% of DALYs caused by TB's infectivity as well.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cost of Illness ; Disabled Persons ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Serologic Tests ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; economics ; pathology ; transmission

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the first experience of using tests of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) for the selection of blood donors in a tertiary hospital blood center in Korea. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2007, the data of all eligible donors according to the Korean Blood Regulation Law were analyzed. Anti-HBc testing was performed in all donors, but anti-HBs was tested only in anti-HBc seropositive donors. Anti-HBs negative but anti-HBc positive donors were regarded as ineligible for blood donation. Cost for donor testing was calculated based on Korean health insurance payment schedule from 2005 to 2007. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of anti-HBc in blood donors was 23.2% (162/699) and increased with increasing age. The proportion of ineligible donors for blood collection was 2.7% (19/699) of total donors and 11.6% (19/162) of anti-HBc seropositive donors. The cost of testing for anti-HBc and anti-HBs was estimated to be about 40% of the total screening cost. CONCLUSIONS: Although additional donor screening tests for anti-HBc and anti-HBs requires increased cost and relatively small number of donors are additionally excluded by these tests, they are considered to be helpful for the safety of blood products, because our blood center has characteristics with small number of donors and relatively high percentage of donors in the age group of thirties and older.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Blood Banks ; *Blood Donors ; Hepatitis B/diagnosis/economics ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/*immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*immunology ; Humans ; Korea ; Laboratories, Hospital ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Serologic Tests/economics