The burden and predictors of latent tuberculosis infection among immigrants in South Korea: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Approximately one-fourth of the global population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An understanding of the burden of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among immigrants compared with the general Korean population should be the first step in identifying priority groups for LTBI diagnosis and treatment. The study aimed to compute the age-standardized LTBI prevalence and predictors among immigrants with LTBI in South Korea.

Methods

In 2018, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency implemented a pilot LTBI screening project for immigrants using a chest radiography and the QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube assay. A standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) was computed to compare the LTBI burden in immigrants and the general Korean population.

Results

SUBMITTER: Yu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8641149 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature