IngentaConnect Risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from ...

Authors: Kenyon T. A.¹; Creek T.¹; Laserson K.²; Makhoa M.³; Chimidza N.³; Mwasekaga M.⁴; Tappero J.²; Lockman S.²; Moeti T.⁵; Binkin N.²

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 6, Number 10, October 2002 , pp. 843-850(8)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Botswana.

DESIGN: Transmission was studied in 210 children aged <10 years (contacts) of unknown HIV status exposed to 51 adults with tuberculosis (index cases), including 41/49 (83.7%) with HIV infection.

METHODS: Data collected on index cases included demographics, clinical and social characteristics, sputum, HIV, and CD4 lymphocyte results. Tuberculin skin testing was performed on contacts, and their parent or guardian was interviewed. A positive test was defined as 10 mm induration. Skin test results were compared with results obtained from a population survey of children of similar age from the same community.

RESULTS: A positive skin test was found in 12.1% of exposed children compared with 6.2% in the community (P = 0.005). Of the infected children, 22 (78.6%) were contacts of a close female relative. The risk of transmission increased with the degree of sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli among female index cases (10.8% if smear 0+, 9.3% if smear 1+, 29.4% if smear 2+, 44% if smear 3+, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, severe immunodeficiency (CD4 lymphocyte count <200 cells/mm³) among HIV-infected index cases was protective against transmission (OR 0.08, 95%CI 0.01–0.5, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION: The intensity of exposure to tuberculosis patients and the degree of sputum smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli remain important risk factors for transmission of M. tuberculosis during the era of HIV. However, tuberculosis patients with advanced AIDS may be less infectious than patients in earlier stages of AIDS.

Keywords: tuberculosis; epidemiology; children; women; HIV; CD4; Botswana

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: The BOTUSA Project, Gaborone, Botswana 2: Division of TB Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 3: Department of Nursing, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana 4: National TB Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana 5: Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana

Risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from HIV-infected tuberculosis patients, Botswana