Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 109, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 8-14

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in Syrian refugees to Canada (Article)

Warrington P. , Tyrrell G. , Choy K. , Eisenbeis L. , Long R. , Cooper R.*
  • a Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • b Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • c Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • d Edmonton Tuberculosis Clinic, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • e Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • f Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: Canada has accepted more than 25,000 Syrian refugees fearing persecution in their homeland. Canadian guidelines recommend screening recent refugees from high incidence countries for tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection (LTBI). The prevalence of TB in this population is unknown. A refugee clinic in Edmonton presented a unique opportunity to estimate prevalence of TB and LTBI in Syrian refugees arriving in Canada. Methods: In January 2016, 100 consecutive Syrian refugees were screened for TB with clinical assessment and LTBI using QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT). Patients with positive QFT-GIT were referred to Edmonton Tuberculosis Clinic (ETBC) for evaluation and, if appropriate, offered prophylaxis. Results: No cases of active TB were found. Valid QFT-GIT were measured in 99 of 100 individuals and of these, nine (9%) were positive using a threshold concentration of blood interferon-γ greater than 0.35 IU/L. Eight of the nine patients attended follow-up appointments; of these, seven began LTBI prophylaxis and all seven (78%) completed same. Conclusion: The 9% (95% confidence interval 3–15%) prevalence of LTBI was higher than expected in this population. © 2018, The Canadian Public Health Association.

Author Keywords

Refugees Syria tuberculosis Latent tuberculosis

Index Keywords

refugee mass screening Syrian Arab Republic human Refugees middle aged Practice Guidelines as Topic statistics and numerical data ethnology Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Canada latent tuberculosis preschool child female Child, Preschool prevalence adult Syria practice guideline Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045731860&doi=10.17269%2fs41997-018-0028-7&partnerID=40&md5=388c802a53c7f7fe34177e83fb978c45
DOI: 10.17269/s41997-018-0028-7
ISSN: 00084263
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English