BMC Infectious Diseases
Volume 12, 2012

Factors associated with latent tuberculosis among asylum seekers in Switzerland: A cross-sectional study in Vaud County (Article) (Open Access)

Sarivalasis A.* , Zellweger J.-P. , Faouzi M. , Daher O. , Deslarzes C. , Bodenmann P.
  • a Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine (PMU), Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
  • b Swiss Lung Association, Vaud section (LPVD), Av de Provence 4, 1007, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
  • c Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
  • d Health Center - Sainte-Croix Hospital (CSSC), Rue des Rosiers 29, 1450 Ste-Croix, Vaud, Switzerland
  • e Nurse, Health Center (CSI), Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
  • f Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine (PMU), Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

Abstract

Background: Screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in asylum seekers (AS) may prevent future cases of tuberculosis. As the screening with Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is costly, the objective of this study was to assess which factors were associated with LTBI and to define a score allowing the selection of AS with the highest risk of LTBI.Methods: In across-sectional study, AS seekers recently arrived in Vaud County, after screening for tuberculosis at the border were offered screening for LTBI with T-SPOT.TB and questionnaire on potentially risk factors. The factors associated with LTBI were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression.Results: Among 393 adult AS, 98 (24.93%) had a positive IGRA response, five of them with active tuberculosis previously undetected. Six factors associated with LTBI were identified in multivariate analysis: origin, travel conditions, marital status, cough, age and prior TB exposure. Their combination leads to a robust LTBI predictive score.Conclusions: The prevalence of LTBI and active tuberculosis in AS is high. A predictive score integrating six factors could identify the asylum seekers with the highest risk for LTBI. © 2012 Sarivalasis et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

Predictive score tuberculosis risk factors interferon gamma release assay Asylum seeker Latent tuberculosis infection

Index Keywords

receiver operating characteristic predictive value human risk assessment Refugees middle aged sputum culture interferon gamma release assay controlled study Cross-Sectional Studies marriage Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male sputum examination latent tuberculosis female pilot study risk factor Multivariate Analysis questionnaire prevalence Article major clinical study adult age coughing enzyme linked immunospot assay thorax radiography disease association anamnesis Switzerland
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84868221826&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2334-12-285&partnerID=40&md5=163a96adc724d01292b50954ff01197b
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-285
ISSN: 14712334
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English