Latent tuberculosis among Latino migrant farmworkers in Connecticut.

Publication/Presentation Date

8-1-2008

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: It is estimated that the prevalence rate of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) for the United States general population is less than 5%. The prevalence of LTBI among Connecticut migrant workers has not been reported. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST), a potential measure of LTBI in migrant workers, at one Connecticut farm.

METHODS: A two-step standardized TST was performed on farmworkers recruited in a migrant clinic setting. Those with negative results on the first-step were offered the second. Workers with positive results were referred to community health centers for assessment and examined by a physician investigator.

RESULTS: Seventy-nine male workers were recruited from a population of approximately 200. Of these, 57 consented to the first-step TST, and 26% tested positive. Over 96% of the 57 tested workers were from Mexico. None had symptoms or signs of active tuberculosis.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a high percentage of asymptomatic Connecticut Latino migrant farmworkers have LTBI. This finding has public health implications for TB control strategies in the state.

Volume

72

Issue

7

First Page

405

Last Page

409

ISSN

0010-6178

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

18763668

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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