Tuberculosis: an upsurge in France

After a period of steady decline in the number of cases during the years marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, tuberculosis has been on the rise again in France since 2023. Although the incidence remains low compared with other regions of the world, Santé publique France stresses the importance of maintaining prevention and control efforts.

What is tuberculosis? Methods of transmission, symptoms and treatment

Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by Koch’s bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), which is transmitted by air. The bacterium is transmitted via airborne droplets when people who are ill cough.

Ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.0 μm, it mainly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. The WHO estimates that 5-10% of infected people will develop symptoms, becoming contagious.

The symptoms of active tuberculosis are varied and mainly affect the lungs and respiratory tract. Here is a detailed list of these symptoms:

• A persistent cough
• Chest pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Fever
• Night sweats

Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, bones, kidneys and lymph nodes.

To establish the cause of your symptoms and identify tuberculosis, the diagnosis is based on bacteriological tests and radiological examinations.

Effective anti-tuberculosis treatment, lasting at least six months, can cure the disease if followed correctly. However, strains that are multi-resistant to antibiotics complicate treatment, necessitating prolonged and costly therapies.

The after-effects of tuberculosis, particularly post-tuberculosis lung disease, are a growing challenge. Studies show that TB survivors are at increased risk of mortality and of developing chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

The importance of prevention and vaccination

The BCG vaccine remains the only vaccine available against tuberculosis. It is recommended in countries where tuberculosis is endemic, mainly in newborns and young children. Ideally, it is administered shortly after birth, often in the first few days of life. This strategy is designed to protect children against serious forms of tuberculosis, in particular tuberculous meningitis and miliary tuberculosis.

The need for booster vaccinations may vary according to national recommendations and the local epidemiological context. In many countries, a single BCG vaccination at birth is considered sufficient for long-term protection against severe forms of tuberculosis in childhood.

Being airborne, tuberculosis can spread in enclosed spaces, requiring additional measures to reduce the risk of contagion. Monitoring indoor air quality is crucial to limiting transmission.

The use of air purifiers fitted with HEPA filters is an effective solution for filtering and isolating the bacterial particles responsible for tuberculosis, helping to maintain a safer, healthier indoor environment.

These devices are particularly recommended in areas where tuberculosis is prevalent or in healthcare establishments to protect staff and patients against this infectious disease.

Epidemiological situation

In France

According to Santé publique France’s weekly epidemiological bulletin (No. 6-7 | 19 March 2024), the number of cases of tuberculosis increased in 2023, reaching 4,728 reported cases. This increase comes after three consecutive years of decline. The regions most affected include French Guiana, Mayotte and Île-de-France.

There are many reasons for this increase. The successive confinements and sanitary measures put in place to combat Covid-19 have reduced social interaction and the wearing of masks has limited transmission, recalling the historical methods used to combat tuberculosis. However, these same measures have also made access to healthcare more difficult, reducing the number of diagnoses. In addition, the arrival of refugees from countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis, such as Ukraine and Georgia, has contributed to this increase.

Worldwide

Globally, tuberculosis remains a major concern. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 10.6 million people will have developed the disease in 2022, with 1.3 million deaths. The number of cases reported in 2022 is 16% higher than in 2021, marking a significant increase not seen since the 1990s.

Devices to prevent tuberculosis cross-contamination

Eolis Air Manager, the medical-grade air purifier

EOLIS Air Manager, developed by NatéoSanté, is a professional air purifier designed to ensure healthy indoor air and prevent cross-contamination in a variety of professional environments. Here’s how it achieves this objective, based on the information provided in the EOLIS Air Manager leaflet:

High Quality Medical Filtration

EOLIS Air Manager uses a certified medical grade filtration system, including EN 1822 compliant HEPA H13 filters. These filters are capable of capturing 99.95% of fine particles, including viruses, bacteria and spores, ensuring high quality purified air.

UV-C Germicidal Technology

The UV-C lamps built into the EOLIS 600S and 1200S models play a crucial role in destroying micro-organisms. These lamps eliminate bacteria, viruses and fungi by disinfecting the air passing through the purifier.

Activated Carbon Filter and Oxidation Filter

The Very High Density (VHD) activated carbon filter and the oxidation filter work together to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases, fumes and odours. This combination effectively neutralises the chemical and organic pollutants present in the air.

Bactericidal, virucidal and acaricidal pre-filter

The removable pre-filter is ISO 18184 and NF G39-011 certified, guaranteeing bactericidal, virucidal and acaricidal action. This pre-filter captures the largest particles and micro-organisms before they reach the HEPA filters and activated carbon, increasing the overall efficiency of the system.

Deep Clean with Active Oxygen

The 600S and 1200S models feature the Deep Clean function, which generates active oxygen for background treatment in just 60 minutes. This powerful natural agent eliminates encrusted odours, dust mites, mould and fungi, providing in-depth disinfection of environments.

High-tech sensors and real-time monitoring

EOLIS Air Manager is equipped with sensors that continuously measure air quality, distinguishing between VOCs and fine particles (PM2.5). This information is displayed in real time on an intuitive touch screen, enabling users to monitor and manage air quality effectively. What’s more, an exclusive supervision system enables several units to be managed remotely, making it easier to maintain and optimise the performance of the fleet of units.

The table below shows filtration performance according to EPA, HEPA and ULPA standards, which are crucial for preventing cross-contamination, including potential tuberculosis. The table highlights the minimum particle retention values (%) and particle sizes approaching 100% retention (μm) for each filter class, from E10 to U17.

Choosing an H13 HEPA filter is particularly interesting because of its particle retention efficiency of up to 99.95%, including critical particles such as those of tuberculosis bacteria, which range in size from 0.5 to 1 micron.

The increase in tuberculosis cases in France in 2023 underlines the need for ongoing vigilance. Access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient follow-up, are essential to controlling this disease. Reducing the risk of airborne cross-contamination of tuberculosis is one of the keys to combating the epidemic. By combining advanced filtration technologies, UV-C disinfection systems, intelligent sensors and real-time management functions, NatéoSanté’s EOLIS Air Manager is the ally that ensures effective air purification, with efficacy proven by leading independent French laboratories.