TB Statistics

 

The Big Picture

In 2011, 1,325 cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported in Texas, a rate of five per
100,000 population. TB can strike anyone but is more likely to be found in those born
in a foreign country where TB is prevalent, people with diabetes, people with HIV/
AIDS, the homeless, and those that work in health care. Alcohol abuse is associated
with more than 18 percent of TB cases and close to 9 percent of cases are associated
with detention facilities.

TB is curable with proper treatment. However, some strains of TB are resistant to
the drugs used for treatment. In 2011, sixteen people in Texas were diagnosed
with multi-drug restistant TB. Fortunately, there were no cases in Texas that were
extensively drug resistant, the most difficult form to treat.

In Texas, 52.6 percent of reported TB cases in 2011 were among Hispanics, 18.7
percent were among African Americans, 12.2 percent were among Whites, 16.1
percent were among Asians, and 0.2 percent were among persons of unknown
ethnicity. TB rates are higher along the Texas-Mexico border. Co-infection with TB and
diabetes is also more common along the border than in the rest of the state. TB/HIV
co-infection is more commonly found in urban areas of Texas.

TB is curable with proper treatment. However, some strains of TB are resistant to the drugs used for treatment. In 2011, sixteen people in Texas were diagnosed with multi-drug restistant TB. Fortunately, there were no cases in Texas that were extensively drug resistant, the most difficult form to treat.

In Texas, 52.6 percent of reported TB cases in 2011 were among Hispanics, 18.7 percent were among African Americans, 12.2 percent were among Whites, 16.1 percent were among Asians, and 0.2 percent were among persons of unknown ethnicity. TB rates are higher along the Texas-Mexico border. Co-infection with TB and diabetes is also more common along the border than in the rest of the state. TB/HIV co-infection is more commonly found in urban areas of Texas.

Tuberculosis Screening

In recent years, blood tests known as Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) have been developed to screen for tuberculosis (TB). White blood cells release interferon gamma (IFN-g) in response to contact with TB antigens. If the test result is positive, there is an immune response indicating the presence of the TB bacteria. If the test is negative, there is no such immune response.

There are currently two Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved blood tests on the market: the QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and the T-SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot). The Department of State Health Services Laboratory Services Section Molecular and Serological Analysis Group processes specimens for the QFT-GIT test. Although the tuberculin skin test has been the conventional screening method in Texas, regional and local tuberculosis programs are adopting the IGRA test as the standard tool to screen for TB.

 

Tuberculosis Treatment

Not everyone infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis becomes sick. Those who do have symptoms – such as a cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, chest pain, or fatigue – are most likely suffering from TB disease. Those with TB disease may be infectious and need prompt treatment to end the symptoms and prevent disability or death. Those who are infected with TB bacteria but do not have any symptoms and have a normal chest x-ray have latent TB infection (LTBI). Those with LTBI still require treatment to decrease the risk of future TB disease.

DSHS provides TB treatment medications to public health clinics across Texas. Those clinics treat patients with TB disease and LTBI. Also, people who are presumed to have TB (TB suspects) may be treated while diagnostic work is done. LTBI is generally treated with one medication for 9-12 months. Treatment of suspects may vary in length depending on whether they are diagnosed with TB disease. Treating an average TB case generally involves using up to four medications for six months. Treating individuals with drug-resistant TB requires costly medications that may be used for an extended period of time. (Download publication , 176 KB)

Texas TB Data (2007-2011)

    1.  Cases and rates by county (260 KB)

Texas TB Data (2006-2010)                         

    2.  Cases and rates by county ( 81 KB) 
    3.  Cases and rates by health service area  (47 KB)
    4.  Cases and rates for the 32 Texas-Mexico border counties  (19 KB)

Texas TB Data (2010) 

    5.  Cases with risk factors by selected counties  (16 KB)
    6.  Cases and percentages by health service area and race/ethnicity  (12 KB)

Texas TB Data (2009)

   7.  Cases with risk factors by selected counties  (16 KB) 
   8.  Cases and percentages by health service area and race/ethnicity (12 KB)
   9.  Counties with higher than average incidence of tuberculosis