Abstract
Background
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) affects nearly a quarter of the global population. Public health interventions aimed at interrupting tuberculosis transmission do not routinely include systematic screening of migrant populations for LTBI in Mexico, nor other high-income countries. However, early detection and treatment of LTBI in immigrant populations from high-burden countries are recommended by the World Health Organization.
Objective
The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of migrants with LTBI in shelters in northeastern Mexico.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were obtained from 455 migrants living in shelters in northeastern Mexico during January 2017 to October 2019. LTBI was diagnosed using the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus test.
Results
Most of the migrants evaluated in this study were from Honduras; ∼86% were male; the average age was 29 + 10 years. LTBI was identified in 18.4% of those from Central America. Migrants from El Salvador and Nicaragua were more likely to have LTBI than those from Honduras or Guatemala. Overweight or obese persons and older persons had a higher prevalence of LTBI. We detected no significant differences with respect to LTBI when the results were compared based on gender, education, or marital status.
Conclusion
The LTBI rates amongst migrants from Central America recently screened in shelters in northeastern Mexico appears to be relatively low given recent estimates of LTBI prevalence in Mexico.
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) affects nearly a quarter of the global population. Public health interventions aimed at interrupting tuberculosis transmission do not routinely include systematic screening of migrant populations for LTBI in Mexico, nor other high-income countries. However, early detection and treatment of LTBI in immigrant populations from high-burden countries are recommended by the World Health Organization.
Objective
The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of migrants with LTBI in shelters in northeastern Mexico.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were obtained from 455 migrants living in shelters in northeastern Mexico during January 2017 to October 2019. LTBI was diagnosed using the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus test.
Results
Most of the migrants evaluated in this study were from Honduras; ∼86% were male; the average age was 29 + 10 years. LTBI was identified in 18.4% of those from Central America. Migrants from El Salvador and Nicaragua were more likely to have LTBI than those from Honduras or Guatemala. Overweight or obese persons and older persons had a higher prevalence of LTBI. We detected no significant differences with respect to LTBI when the results were compared based on gender, education, or marital status.
Conclusion
The LTBI rates amongst migrants from Central America recently screened in shelters in northeastern Mexico appears to be relatively low given recent estimates of LTBI prevalence in Mexico.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 100194 |
Pages (from-to) | 100194 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases |
Volume | 21 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research received support from the Secretariat of Social Development of Nuevo León government. No funding was received from agencies in the commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Funding Information:
We must thank the Casa Nicolas refuge, the government of the state of Nuevo Le?n and the University of Monterrey for their support in carrying out and publishing this work. This work complies with established general health laws on research in Mexico and the Declaration of Helsinki for human research. This work has been approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the University of Monterrey, Nuevo Le?n, Mexico, with the number 042016-ClE. All participants provided their written informed consent before being included in the study. This research received support from the Secretariat of Social Development of Nuevo Le?n government. No funding was received from agencies in the commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Microbiology (medical)
- Infectious Diseases