Background: Oman is a high-income, low prevalent country for tuberculosis disease. Although the rates have remained static over the last decade, the country is aiming for Tuberculosis (TB) elimination. Household contacts of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients form a high-risk group of susceptible individuals who could remain reservoirs of active disease. Objective: A retrospective study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of latent TB infection by Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) screening tests among the household contacts of Omani patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Design: A cross-sectional survey conducted between 2017 and 2018 of TB cases and their contacts in Muscat Governorate, Oman. Results: Out of the 278 contacts identified, 188 contacts fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were enrolled into the study. The prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) was 22.8% (95% CI: 17.0-29.5) among household contacts. We found higher proportions of LTBI among females than males (28.7% vs. 15%, p = 0.027). Those who were exposed to Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear positive cases were more likely to be LTBI (28.7% versus 15% in smear negative cases; p = 0.047). We also found an increasing trend of infection (32.3%) in the oldest age group (46-80 years). Conclusion: Besides children, female household contacts and older age contacts should be prioritized for screening as they are more likely to be infected and develop active disease.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.