Grading of a positive sputum smear and the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission
OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with TB transmission, focusing on quantitative sputum smear results.
DESIGN: Retrospective study of contact investigations performed over a period of 5 years in a Dutch Municipal Health Service among all index patients with TB, and the tuberculin skin test and chest radiography results in contacts. Three definitions of transmission were used: ≥1 or ≥5 contacts with positive TST or active TB in contacts.
RESULTS: The highest (+4/+5) sputum AFB grades were associated with the highest relative risk (≥8) of extensive transmission or active TB among contacts. Novel risk factors observed were employment or school attendance, positive PCR of sputum and positive AFB staining of BAL fluid. Pulmonary symptoms, infiltrate or cavity and positive AFB sputum stain were also associated with transmission, confirming previous studies.
CONCLUSION: The risk factors observed in this study may aid in the extension of contact investigations.
Keywords: PCR; acid-fast staining; bronchoalveolar lavage; contact investigation; tuberculin skin test
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands 2: Municipal Health Service (GG&GD), Division of Tuberculosis Control, Utrecht, The Netherlands 3: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands 4: National Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands 5: National Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Publication date: 01 November 2012
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