Tuberculosis contact investigation in low- and middle-income countries: standardized definitions and indicators.

There is a need for better utilization of program data for global tuberculosis (TB) control. Significant information could be gained from data collected by TB programs that could supplement traditional sources of evidence and contribute to policy development. For this operational information to be useful, it must be collected in a uniform manner, using standardized definitions and approaches to evaluation. As an example of an approach to uniformity in generating useful program data, we present recommendations for the standardization of definitions and indicators for the investigation of contacts of persons with infectious TB in low- and middle-income countries.