Exposure Time to a Tuberculosis Index Case As a Marker of Infection in Immigrant Populations

Overview

Journal Pathogens

Date 2025 Feb 26

PMID 40005550

Authors

Sofia Godoy

Miquel Alseda

Ignasi Parron

Joan-Pau Millet

Joan A Cayla

Nuria Follia

Monica Carol

Angels Orcau

Diana Toledo

Gloria Ferrus

Pere Plans

Irene Barrabeig

Laura Clotet

Angela Dominguez

Jaume March-Llanes

Pere Godoy

The Transmission Of Tuberculosis In Catalonia Spain Working Group

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

: Exposure time to a tuberculosis (TB) index case may be a marker of a recent latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk. The aim of this study was to determine the LTBI risk involved in immigrant contact based on exposure time to pulmonary TB index cases. : We conducted a 30-month LTBI prevalence study of pulmonary TB immigrant contacts in Catalonia (1 January 2019-30 June 2021). Contacts with LTBI were identified by means of the tuberculin skin test and/or interferon gamma release assay. Variables associated with LTBI in contacts were analysed using adjusted OR (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values. : LTBI prevalence was 37.4% (939/2509). Prevalence was higher in men than women (40.6% versus 33.5%; < 0.001), and in all age groups, relative to children <5 years (12.2%; < 0.001)). Prevalence increased with exposure time to the index case; relative to <6 h/week exposure, LTBI risk was greater for both ≥6 h/day (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5-2.6) and <6 h/day but ≥6 h/week (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.2). : The LTBI risk in immigrant contacts increases with recent exposure time to the index case, and may suggest recent LTBI in immigrants.

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