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

Park, Jae Seuk

doi:2012.72.2.140

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 72(2); 2012 > Article

Original Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2012;72(2):140-148.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2012.72.2.140 Published online February 1, 2012.

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

Jae Seuk Park

Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. jspark@dankook.ac.kr

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.

Key Words: Tuberculosis, Contact Tracing, Tuberculin Test