TY - JOUR
T1 - Latent and subclinical tuberculosis in HIV infected patients
T2 - a cross-sectional study
AU - Kall, Meaghan
AU - Coyne, Katherine M.
AU - Garrett, Nigel J.
AU - Boyd, Aileen E.
AU - Ashcroft, Anthony T.
AU - Reeves, Iain
AU - Anderson, Jane
AU - Bothamley, Graham H.
PY - 2012/5/4
Y1 - 2012/5/4
N2 - Background: HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are commonly associated. Identifying latent and asymptomatic tuberculosis infection in HIV-positive patients is important in preventing death and morbidity associated with active TB.Methods: Cross-sectional study of one time use of an interferon-gamma release assay (T-SPOT.TB - immunospot) to detect tuberculosis infection in patients in a UK inner city HIV clinic with a large sub-Saharan population.Results: 542 patient samples from 520 patients who disclosed their symptoms of TB were tested. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 27-69). More than half (55%) originated from countries with medium or high tuberculosis burden and 57% were women. Antiretroviral therapy was used by 67%; median CD4 count at test was 458 cells/μl. A negative test was found in 452 samples and an indeterminate results in 40 (7.4%) but neither were associated with a low CD4 count. A positive test was found in 10% (50/502) individuals. All patients with positive tests were referred to the TB specialist, 47 (94%) had a chest radiograph and 46 (92%) attended the TB clinic. Two had culture-positive TB and a third individual with features of active TB was treated. 40 started and 38 completed preventive treatment. One patient who completed preventive treatment with isoniazid monotherapy subsequently developed isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. No patient with a negative test has developed TB.Conclusions: We found an overall prevalence of latent TB infection of 10% through screening for TB in those with HIV infection and without symptoms, and a further 1% with active disease, a yield greater than typically found in contact tracing. Acceptability of preventive treatment was high with 85% of those with latent TB infection eventually completing their TB chemotherapy regimens. IGRA-based TB screening among HIV-infected individuals was feasible in the clinical setting and assisted with appropriate management (including preventive treatment and therapy for active disease). Follow-up of TB incidence in this group is needed to assess the long-term effects of preventive treatment.
AB - Background: HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are commonly associated. Identifying latent and asymptomatic tuberculosis infection in HIV-positive patients is important in preventing death and morbidity associated with active TB.Methods: Cross-sectional study of one time use of an interferon-gamma release assay (T-SPOT.TB - immunospot) to detect tuberculosis infection in patients in a UK inner city HIV clinic with a large sub-Saharan population.Results: 542 patient samples from 520 patients who disclosed their symptoms of TB were tested. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 27-69). More than half (55%) originated from countries with medium or high tuberculosis burden and 57% were women. Antiretroviral therapy was used by 67%; median CD4 count at test was 458 cells/μl. A negative test was found in 452 samples and an indeterminate results in 40 (7.4%) but neither were associated with a low CD4 count. A positive test was found in 10% (50/502) individuals. All patients with positive tests were referred to the TB specialist, 47 (94%) had a chest radiograph and 46 (92%) attended the TB clinic. Two had culture-positive TB and a third individual with features of active TB was treated. 40 started and 38 completed preventive treatment. One patient who completed preventive treatment with isoniazid monotherapy subsequently developed isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. No patient with a negative test has developed TB.Conclusions: We found an overall prevalence of latent TB infection of 10% through screening for TB in those with HIV infection and without symptoms, and a further 1% with active disease, a yield greater than typically found in contact tracing. Acceptability of preventive treatment was high with 85% of those with latent TB infection eventually completing their TB chemotherapy regimens. IGRA-based TB screening among HIV-infected individuals was feasible in the clinical setting and assisted with appropriate management (including preventive treatment and therapy for active disease). Follow-up of TB incidence in this group is needed to assess the long-term effects of preventive treatment.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84860501631
U2 - 10.1186/1471-2334-12-107
DO - 10.1186/1471-2334-12-107
M3 - Article
C2 - 22558946
AN - SCOPUS:84860501631
SN - 1471-2334
VL - 12
JO - BMC Infectious Diseases
JF - BMC Infectious Diseases
M1 - 107
ER -
