Latent and active tuberculosis : evaluation of injecting drug users

Abstract EN

Background : There is a high risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among injecting drug users (IDUs).

Objectives : This study aimed to determine the frequency of latent and active TB infection among IDUs.

Materials and Methods : In a cross-sectional study between 2008 and 2009, IDUs referred to the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) centers in Hamedan-Iran, undergone tuberculin skin test (PPD ; purified protein derivative) were recruited.

The participants with positive results for PPD test ( > 5 mm and > 10 mm in HIV positive and negative cases), undergone other complementary procedures such as chest-X-ray and sputum smear test.

Results : Overall, 268 IDUs between 18 and 70 (mean: 34.5 [8.2]) years were included in the study.

PPD test had positive findings in 49 cases (18.3 %).

There was no significant difference of PPD positivity between HIV positive and negative participants (17.7 % vs.

18.5 %).

An active TB was found among IDUs.

Conclusions : The high prevalence of latent and active TB among IDUs indicates the need for TB screening tests among this population.