Background: Previous research has documented that parasite infection may increase vulnerability to TB among certain at risk populations. The purpose of this study was to identify whether an association exists between latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and intestinal parasite infection among newly resettled refugees in Texas while controlling for additional effects of region of origin, age and sex. Methods: Data for all refugees screened for both TB and intestinal parasites between January 2010 and mid- October 2013 were obtained from the Texas Refugee Health Screening Program and were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: A total of 9860 refugeeswere included. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, pathogenic and nonpathogenic intestinal parasite infections yielded statistically significant reduced odds of LTBI. However, when individual parasite species were analyzed, hookworm infection indicated statistically significant increased odds of LTBI (OR 1.674, CI 1.126-2.488). Discussion: A positive association exists between hookworm infection and LTBI in newly arrived refugees to Texas. More research is needed to assess the nature and extent of these associations. © The Author 2015.

Hookworm Refugees Latent tuberculosis Intestinal parasites USA Texas

Eosinophilia parasitosis refugee Escherichia coli logistic regression analysis Entamoeba dispar multivariate logistic regression analysis human Communicable Diseases Refugees statistics and numerical data controlled study priority journal Chilomastix Logistic Models Animals Entamoeba polecki nonhuman Entameoba hartmanni statistical significance screening animal parasite health program Humans Adolescent male latent tuberculosis entamoeba moshkovskii female Infant risk factor Clonorchis Ascaris Endolimax nana hookworm infection prevalence Article communicable disease tuberculin test major clinical study adult infection risk age Trichuris Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic statistical model disease association sex intestine parasite Trichomonas hominis intestinal parasite infection Iodameoba butschlii pathophysiology Texas hookworm Child