Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica
Volume 21, Issue 10, 2003, Pages 540-542

Health in the immigrant population: Prevalence of latent tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis infection [Examen de salud en la población inmigrante: Prevalencia de infección tuberculosa latente, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, infección por el VIH y sífilis] (Article)

Ramos J.M.* , Pastor C. , Masía Ma.M. , Cascales E. , Royo G. , Gutiérrez-Rodero F.
  • a Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Cami de L'Almazara, 11, 03203 Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • b Asamblea Loc. Cruz Roja Crevillente, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • c Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • d Seccion de Microbiologia, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • e Seccion de Microbiologia, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain
  • f Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hosp. General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. To describe the prevalence of infectious diseases in immigrants. METHODS. The Mantoux tuberculin skin test and serology testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis were performed in 488 immigrants. RESULTS. A positive reaction to the Mantoux (≥ 10 mm) was found in 19.1% of individuals from Africa, 9.6% from Eastern Europe and 5.8% from South America (p < 0.001). With regard to hepatitis B, 2.5% of the Africans, 2.1% of the Eastern Europeans and none of the South Americans were carriers of the virus (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS. The prevalence of infectious diseases in immigrants varies according to their country of origin.

Author Keywords

immigrants tuberculosis HIV Hepatitis B Syphilis Hepatitis C

Index Keywords

immigrant Human immunodeficiency virus infection immigration human Eastern Europe health male female South America tuberculosis Africa Syphilis prevalence Article major clinical study tuberculin test adult serology hepatitis B virus carrier hepatitis C
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0347611094&doi=10.1157%2f13054545&partnerID=40&md5=acbb4eb953cccf0aff0de6f94581f60e
DOI: 10.1157/13054545
ISSN: 0213005X
Cited by: 44
Original Language: Spanish