Prevalence of and risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection in a Latin American region

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) represents a health problem in Colombia, and its control is focused on the search for contacts and treatment of TB cases underscoring the role of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as a reservoir of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The burden of LTBI in Colombia is unknown. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI and identify the associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited participants from four health care centers in Cali, Colombia. The participants were eligible if they were aged between 14 and 70 years, and all participants answered a survey evaluating their medical history and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. LTBI status was based on tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity using two thresholds: ≥10 mm (TST-10) and ≥15 mm (TST-15). The magnitude of the associations between independent factors and dependent outcomes (LTBI status and TST induration) were evaluated by logistic regression and generalized linear models, respectively. A total of 589 individuals were included with TST positivity rates of 25.3% (TST-10) and 13.2% (TST-15). Logistic regression showed that being between age 40 and 69 years (OR = 7.28, 95% CI [1.62–32.7]), being male (OR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.04–2.84]), being employed (OR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.02–2.38]), and having a low intake of alcohol (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.13–5.11]) were risk factors for TST positivity, while living in the north zone (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.18–0.55]), living in the suburb zone (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.15–0.52]) and having a secondary education (OR = 0.49 95% CI [0.29–0.83]) lowered the risk of TST positivity. The generalized linear model showed that the previous predictors, as well as a low body mass index, had an effect on TST reaction size. The LTBI prevalence found in the population was moderate, reflecting the continuous transmission of M. tuberculosis. Social factors seem to play a decisive role in the risk of LTBI. Employed males, who are over 40 years of age, are overweight, have a lower level of education and have a low intake of alcohol (50–100 mL, once/week) should be a priority group for prophylactic treatment as a strategy for TB control in this city.

Hubungan Lingkungan Fisik Rumah dan Kepadatan Hunian dengan Prevalensi Tuberkulosis di Kecamatan Sungai Kunjang Kota Samarinda

“…Dampak terhadap kesehatan khususnya penularan berbagai penyakit infeksi khususnya tuberkulosis tidak bisa dihindari berhubungan dengan interaksi sosial diantara masyarakat. Sebagai penyakit yang ditularkan melalui interaksi sosial, penderita tuberkulosis baik fase aktif maupun fase laten [20] serta a penderita multi drug resistance (MDR) menjadi semakin sulit diobati jika tidak dikendalikan dan dipantau secara intensif [21].…”

Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection among Adults of Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala as Measured by Interferon Gamma Release Assay – A Cross-Sectional Study

“…[ 10 ] Study concluded that prevalence of infection is higher among males (25.7%) when compared to female sex (20.7%) similar to a study conducted using TST. [ 15 ] Failure to establish a significant difference could be due to inadequate power of the present study to establish the causation between these factors and infection, which was not the primary objective of the present study. Due to the same reason present study couldn’t establish a statistical significance on either socioeconomic status of participant or tobacco smoking status, though these factors are widely quoted as risk factors for infection.…”

Active Case Finding for Tuberculosis in Migrants: a Systematic Review

“…Others include the low quality of health services, such as accessibility, health facilities, lack of training, health workers, and information systems ( 13 ). TB occurs mainly in adults ( 3 , 16 , 34 ) with an increasing trend in children ( 20 ), and in the elderly ( 20 , 22 ). Household contact is the main source of transmission to children ( 23 ).…”

“…The incidence of tuberculosis among Taiwanese migrants is higher than in the local population ( 16 ). The Chinese migrant population had a higher risk of TB incidence compared with the local population ( 31 ).…”