Clinical Programming
The Global TB Program has focused on the seamless integration of TB and HIV care and treatment across a network of partner sites in sub-Saharan Africa and has expanded efforts to support the clinical centers of excellence located in six countries. The TB Program has also conducted training, improved standardization, and enhanced the existing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system to effectively capture outcome data regarding TB and other common HIV comorbidities. We have also expanded our partnership in Papua New Guinea to contribute to supporting an emerging research community in the country, built on excellent TB training and clinical care.
Policy
In collaboration with colleagues from IUATLD, McGill University, and the Cochrane Collaboration, the Global TB Program partners to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyze data to generate evidence informing international and WHO policy and guidelines regarding the prevention, care and treatment of TB in children. Among Global TB investigators, their publications have been cited in TB-related policy and guidelines in over 20 countries. View a listing of global tuberculosis-related research articles in PubMed.
Find TB Care in Houston
Children with TB disease in Houston, Texas, receive care through a collaboration between Texas Children’s Hospital and the Harris County Public Health TB Elimination program.
Children’s Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital
The Children’s TB Clinic was established over 25 years ago and is the largest pediatric tuberculosis clinic in the United States. It is staffed by Drs. Jeffrey Starke, Andrea Cruz, Anna Mandalakas, and Lydia Ong, PA-C. View more information.
Services provided: Children with TB exposure, infection, and disease are cared for at this clinic.
- Placement and interpretation of tuberculin skin tests (PPDs)
- Obtaining and interpreting interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs)
- Chest radiographs (X-rays) and other radiographic studies, as needed
- Laboratory services
- Coordination with other consulting services
- Admission to Texas Children’s Hospital, if necessary
The clinic is located on the 16th floor of the Clinical Care Center (corner of Fannin Street and Holcombe Boulevard):
Texas Children’s Hospital
6701 Fannin Street
Houston, Texas 77030
The clinic meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The first appointment is at 8 a.m., and the last is at 10 a.m.
Parking: Parking is available at several Texas Medical Center parking garages.
Referrals to the TB Clinic occur in several ways:
Referrals from community physicians: Physicians can call Texas Children’s Hospital Central Scheduling at 832-822-2778. They will be connected with the Infectious Disease office and be asked to complete a form providing additional clinical information. Children need not have chest radiographs before arrival in the TB clinic; we can obtain these during the initial visit. However, if a child has already had a chest radiograph, it is helpful if copies of this film can be given to the family to bring to their appointment.
Referrals for children hospitalized with suspected tuberculosis disease: Physicians can call Texas Children’s Hospital Central Scheduling at 832-822-2778. They will be connected with the Infectious Disease office and be asked to complete a form providing additional clinical information, diagnostic test results, and medication dosing. We prefer that children have an appointment scheduled prior to hospital discharge to prevent barriers to care.
Texas Children’s Hospital Mobile Clinics
The Mobile Clinics are fully equipped medical units that travel to low-income communities in the greater Houston area to provide comprehensive medical services to underserved children. Children are screened for TB exposure at each visit and receive diagnostic testing as needed. Children determined to have TB infection without active disease are treated and followed at the mobile clinic in conjunction with the Harris County Public Health TB Elimination program. Children with active TB disease are referred for inpatient admission to Texas Children’s Hospital or outpatient care at the Children’s TB Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, depending on the severity of their illness.
Visit the Texas Children’s Hospital Mobile Clinic program website for more information.