Epidemiologic Basis for Tuberculosis Control 



 
 November 22, 2008

 
Course Syllabus

Course Description | Course Objectives | Course Topics | Course Structure | Grading Policy | Course Book | Contact Information | Help | Ethical Conduct


 

Course Description

Considers subjects and epidemiologic principles relevant to control measures against tuberculosis. Topics include source and interpretation of tuberculin sensitivity; risk factors; prevention by case-finding and treatment, vaccination, and chemoprophylaxis; and elements of control programs in developed and undeveloped areas. Presentation of assigned reading topics provides the basis for group discussions.


Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis
  • Explain the basic concepts of tuberculosis infection, disease, prevention and treatment, and the correlation between HIV infection and tuberculosis
  • Evaluate tuberculosis literature and apply it to tuberculosis control needs of the present and future in both industrialized and non-industrialized populations

Course Topics

  • Tuberculin testing
  • New diagnostics for latent tuberculosis infection
  • Risk factors for tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS
  • Treatment for latent and active tuberculosis
  • New drugs for treatment of tuberculosis
  • Genotyping methods in tuberculosis control
  • Tuberculosis elimination

Course Structure

Epidemiologic Basis for Tuberculosis Control consists of ten lectures presented by experts in the tuberculosis field. For some of these lectures, you will have the opportunity to hear the late Dr. George Comstock discuss, in detail, some of the most important papers in the tuberculosis literature. You will also receive a suggested reading list pertaining to the topics in every lecture. In addition, this course includes three discussion-based LiveTalk sessions.

The course is divided into six topic areas. There will be one individual assignment for which you will read a selected paper and create a short presentation (audio and PowerPoint). You will select a paper from one of these six topic areas:
  1. Tuberculosis burden and epidemiology
  2. Tuberculin sensitivity
  3. Tuberculosis risk factors
  4. Tuberculosis treatment (latent infection)
  5. Tuberculosis treatment (active disease)
  6. Tuberculosis and HIV
Each week, the students who are assigned to that week's topic will be responsible for leading a bulletin board discussion in which all students are expected to participate.  
 
There will also be three quizzes during the course. These will be based on the lectures and student presentations.
 
The LiveTalk sessions will focus on questions from the class, points not fully understood from the quizzes, and other tuberculosis topics of interest.

Grading Policy

 Quizzes (3)   60%
 Individual Presentation  20%
 BBS Participation  10%
 LiveTalk Participation  10% 
 

Course Book

Toman's tuberculosis: case detection, treatment and monitoring: questions and answers (2nd edition) K. Toman, T. Frieden WHO 2004

It is available for FREE online at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2004/9241546034.pdf
 
Also, the PDF is available in the online library as well.

Contact Information

Course Faculty

Jonathan Golub, PhD, MPH
443-287-2969
410-955-0740 (fax)
jgolub@jhmi.edu

Richard Chaisson, MD
410-955-1755
rchaiss@jhmi.edu

Teaching Assistant

Colleen Hanrahan
chanraha@jhsph.edu


Help

Concerns
Contact
Concerns about course topics and assignments
Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)
  • DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses
Technical help on weekends
  • JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781
Concerns about your Internet connection
  • Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)
Concerns about your personal software
  • Your software vendor


Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 1998, will be adhered to in this class.


Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

 

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