Prevalence of Tuberculosis Infection among the Patients Suspected with latent tuberculosis in Baghdad City

Abstract

The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the patients suspected of the latent tuberculosis referred to the Specialized Chest and Respiratory Disease Center/National Reference Laboratory for Tuberculosis (NRL) in Baghdad, and also to identify their risk factors. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from fifteenth April to fourteenth November 2021. Included all patients referred from Baghdad Specialty Hospitals to the Specialized Chest and Respiratory Disease Center/(NRL) for Tuberculosis in Baghdad of suspected latent TB infected. Quantiferon TB-Gold plus assay (QFT-Plus). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Among 601 the patients suspected of the latent tuberculosis, 23.8% (143\601) revealed positive QFT-Plus and 76.2% (458\601) negative QFT-Plus. The significant risk factors associated with positive QFT-Plus individuals were (41– 60) years. Specimens were taken both genders: was the percentage positive of the (QFT-Plus) test for females more than male 78(54.6%), 65(45.5%), respectively. The ages of the patients ranged from two to 81 year, and it was divided into six groups. The skin was the highest percentage 44(7.3%) of the rest of the cases, followed by the eye 42(7.0%), joints 34(5.7%), lymph nodes 10(1.7%), digestive system 6(1.0%), respiratory system 6(1.0%) and the lowest percentage was reproductive system1(0.1%). The latent tuberculosis is occur by several risk factors including cigarette smoking and its ratio was 53(37.0%), alcohol consumption 47(32.9%), closed contact with a latent TB patient 32(22.4%) and immunosuppressive therapy 11(7.7%). Where impaired immunity and a higher risk of contracting TB infection are blamed for the issue.