Tuberc Respir Dis.  2012 Feb;72(2):140-148.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection among Contacts of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

• Park JS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) infection with contact investigation is a key component of TB control program. I evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for TB infection among contacts of recently diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in a tertiary hospital in Korea.
METHODS
206 contacts of 90 adult pulmonary TB patients underwent tuberculin skin tests (TST) and chest radiography. The TST results were considered positive with an induration of 10 mm or more, suggesting TB infection. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess risk factors associated with TB infection.
RESULTS
TST was positive in 97 of 206 contacts of TB patients (47.1%) and positive rate of TST increased with age. The risk of TB infection was significantly associated with close contact with TB patients (sleeping in the same room) (odd ratio [OR], 4.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43~17.00).
CONCLUSION
TB infection rate was higher in the elderly, and the risk of TB infection was significantly increased with close contact of TB patients.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Contact Tracing; Tuberculin Test

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Contact Tracing
Humans
Mycobacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Skin Tests
Tertiary Care Centers
Thorax
Tuberculin
Tuberculin Test
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
Tuberculin

Figure

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  Figure 1 Frequencies of TST induration size in contacts (n=206). TST: tuberculin skin test.

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