Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a central role in global tuberculosis (TB) elimination efforts but their contributions are undermined by occupational TB. HCWs have higher rates of latent and active TB than the general population due to persistent occupational TB exposure, particularly in settings where there is a high prevalence of undiagnosed TB in healthcare facilities and TB infection control (TB-IC) programmes are absent or poorly implemented. Occupational health programmes in high TB burden settings are often weak or non-existent and thus data that record the extent of the increased risk of occupational TB globally are scarce. HCWs represent a limited resource in high TB burden settings and occupational TB can lead to workforce attrition. Stigma plays a role in delayed diagnosis, poor treatment outcomes and impaired well-being in HCWs who develop TB. Ensuring the prioritization and implementation of TB-IC interventions and occupational health programmes, which include robust monitoring and evaluation, is critical to reduce nosocomial TB transmission to patients and HCWs. The provision of preventive therapy for HCWs with latent TB infection (LTBI) can also prevent progression to active TB. Unlike other patient groups, HCWs are in a unique position to serve as agents of change to raise awareness, advocate for necessary resource allocation and implement TB-IC interventions, with appropriate support from dedicated TB-IC officers at the facility and national TB programme level. Students and community health workers (CHWs) must be engaged and involved in these efforts. Nosocomial TB transmission is an urgent public health problem and adopting rights-based approaches can be helpful. However, these efforts cannot succeed without increased political will, supportive legal frameworks and financial investments to support HCWs in efforts to decrease TB transmission.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a medical treatment which involves the transfer of feces from a healthy donor to a recipient to restore the balance of gut microbiota and improve clinical outcomes. FMT has gained recognition in recent years due to its effectiveness in treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI) and other gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, it has been studied as an intervention for some other conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This review covers regulatory considerations related to FMT, including the current state of FMT regulation and the need for further research to fully understand the safety and efficacy of this treatment. For transplantation of fecal microbiota, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies the treatment as an investigational new drug (IND), which typically requires physicians and scientists to submit an IND application. Ethical issues surrounding FMT, including the necessity of informed consent from donors and recipients and the potential transmission of infectious agents, are also discussed. Overall, FMT has the potential to offer significant therapeutic benefits, but it also raises regulatory and ethical considerations that require careful consideration. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend risks and benefits of FMT and to develop guidelines for its use in clinical practice.