What was updated in the 2007 TB Technical Instructions?
CDC updated the TB guidelines in 2007 to make testing more precise by requiring cultures for immigrant applicants and refugees thought to have TB. A culture test involves putting a sputum sample (i.e., a small amount of mucus from deep in the lungs) in a petri dish to see if TB bacteria grow. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) on positive TB cultures was added to see which drugs would be likely to kill the type of TB found. Another update is the addition of directly observed therapy (DOT). Treatment must start before arrival in the United States and medical staff must observe patients in person as they swallow each dose of TB drug.
