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Prevalence of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in prisoners

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of and the factors associated with latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in prisoners in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional cohort study conducted in two prisons in Minas Gerais. Tuberculin skin tests were performed in the individuals who agreed to participate in the study.

Results:

A total of 1,120 individuals were selected for inclusion in this study. The prevalence of LTBI was 25.2%. In the multivariate analysis, LTBI was associated with self-reported contact with active tuberculosis patients within prisons (adjusted OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.05-2.18) and use of inhaled drugs (adjusted OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03-2.13). Respiratory symptoms were identified in 131 (11.7%) of the participants. Serological testing for HIV was performed in 940 (83.9%) of the participants, and the result was positive in 5 (0.5%). Two cases of active tuberculosis were identified during the study period.

Conclusions:

Within the prisons under study, the prevalence of LTBI was high. In addition, LTBI was associated with self-reported contact with active tuberculosis patients and with the use of inhaled drugs. Our findings demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the conditions in prisons, as well as to introduce strategies, such as chest X-ray screening, in order to detect tuberculosis cases and, consequently, reduce M. tuberculosis infection within the prison system.

Keywords:
Prisons; Tuberculin test; Latent tuberculosis, HIV

RESUMO

Objetivo:

Determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados à infecção latente por Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ILTB) em pessoas privadas de liberdade no Estado de Minas Gerais.

Métodos:

Estudo de coorte transversal realizado em duas penitenciárias em Minas Gerais. Foi realizada a prova tuberculínica nos indivíduos que aceitaram participar do estudo.

Resultados:

Foram selecionados 1.120 indivíduos para a pesquisa. A prevalência da ILTB foi de 25,2%. Na análise multivariada, a ILTB esteve associada com relato de contato com caso de tuberculose ativa dentro da penitenciária (OR ajustada = 1,51; IC95%: 1,05-2,18) e uso de drogas inaláveis (OR ajustada = 1,48; IC95%: 1,03-2,13). Foram identificados 131 pacientes sintomáticos respiratórios (11,7%). O teste anti-HIV foi realizado em 940 (83,9%) dos participantes, sendo positivo em 5 indivíduos (0,5%). Dois casos de tuberculose ativa foram identificados no período do estudo.

Conclusões:

A prevalência de ILTB dentro das penitenciárias estudadas foi alta. Além disso, a ILTB estava associada ao relato de contato com casos de tuberculose e ao uso de drogas inaláveis. Nossos achados demonstram que é necessária a melhoria das condições de encarceramento e a utilização de outras estratégias, como a triagem por radiografia de tórax, para a descoberta de casos de tuberculose e redução da infecção pelo M. tuberculosis no sistema penitenciário.

Descritores:
Prisões; Teste tuberculínico; Tuberculose latente; HIV.

INTRODUCTION

It is estimated that there were 9.4 million new cases of tuberculosis worldwide in 2014, 12% of which were HIV-infected, as well as 1.5 million tuberculosis-related deaths.11. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2015. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. Brazil is one of the 22 countries that collectively account for 80.0% of the global burden of this disease. 11. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2015. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. Minas Gerais ranks fourth among the states with the highest number of tuberculosis cases in Brazil.22. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portal da Saúde [homepage on the Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde [cited 2013 Jan 31]. Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose: Apresentação Padrão. Available from: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/profissional/area.cfm?id_area=1527
http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/...
The main global strategy for tuberculosis control, proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and known as Stop TB,11. World Health Organization. Global tuberculosis report 2015. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. highlights, in one of its components, the need to promote tuberculosis control activities targeting prisoners because such individuals are at high risk for latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and for developing tuberculosis disease, given that this a serious public health problem in penal institutions.33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.

4. World Health Organization. Working together with businesses: guidance on TB and TB/HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care in the workplace. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.

5. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.
-66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.

The presence of tuberculosis within the prison system has been described as a threat. Some authors have suggested that it will not be possible to control tuberculosis in the community unless effective measures are taken to combat the disease in prisons. In those places, tuberculosis is not limited to prisoners only, because it also affects the community with which they interact, family members, and prison staff, during and after incarceration.33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.,55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.

6. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.

7. Baussano I, Williams BG, Nunn P, Beggiato M, Fedeli U, Scano F. Tuberculosis incidence in prisons: a systematic review. PLoS Med. 2010;7(12):e1000381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000381
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.100...

8. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.
-99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44. In Brazil, the incidence of tuberculosis within the prison system is 28-fold higher than that in the general population.1010. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portal da Saúde [homepage on the Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde [cited 2015 Dec 8]. Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose: Apresentação Padrão. Available from: http://portal.saude.gov.br/index.php/o-ministerio/principal/743-secretaria-svs
http://portal.saude.gov.br/index.php/o-m...
The prevalence of LTBI is also high in those places,55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,77. Baussano I, Williams BG, Nunn P, Beggiato M, Fedeli U, Scano F. Tuberculosis incidence in prisons: a systematic review. PLoS Med. 2010;7(12):e1000381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000381
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.100...

8. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.
-99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1111. Aerts A, Habouzit M, Mschiladze L, Malakmadze N, Sadradze N, Menteshashvili O, et al. Pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons of the ex-USSR state Georgia: results of a nation-wide prevalence survey among sentenced inmates. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2000;4(12):1104-10.

12. Nogueira PA, Abrahão RM. Tuberculosis infection and the length of stay of County Jails prisoners in the western sector of the city of São Paulo. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2009;12(1):30-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2009000100004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X200900...
-1313. Carbone Ada S, Paião DS, Sgarbi RV, Lemos EF, Cazanti RF, Ota MM, et al. Active and latent tuberculosis in Brazilian correctional facilities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-...
a reality that remains unknown in most Brazilian regions since there are no studies on the subject.

Identifying LTBI in prisoners should be given priority so that preventive measures can be adopted, especially in groups with conditions associated with high risks of developing tuberculosis, such as HIV seropositivity, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, use of immunosuppressants, etc.66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1414. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221-47. The method for identifying suspected tuberculosis cases should be decided upon on a scenario-by-scenario basis, depending on the local context and the existing resources.33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.,88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...

16. Golub JE, Mohan CI, Comstock GW, Chaisson RE. Active case finding of tuberculosis: historical perspective and future prospects. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005;9(11):1183-203.
-1717. Legrand J, Sanchez A, Le Pont F, Camacho L, Larouze B. Modeling the impact of tuberculosis control strategies in highly endemic overcrowded prisons. PLoS One. 2008;3(5):e2100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002100
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.000...
The main screening strategies are based on symptoms, chest X-ray, and the tuberculin skin test (TST).33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.,88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1414. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221-47.,1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...
) Each has advantages and limitations.33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.,88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...

16. Golub JE, Mohan CI, Comstock GW, Chaisson RE. Active case finding of tuberculosis: historical perspective and future prospects. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005;9(11):1183-203.

17. Legrand J, Sanchez A, Le Pont F, Camacho L, Larouze B. Modeling the impact of tuberculosis control strategies in highly endemic overcrowded prisons. PLoS One. 2008;3(5):e2100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002100
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.000...
-1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63. Active surveillance for cases of tuberculosis disease, through screening, should be undertaken not only upon entry into the prison system, but also afterwards. The purpose of this surveillance is to examine individuals who are more likely to develop the disease, such as those with respiratory symptoms (RS), identify active cases, and treat them accordingly. Such measures break the chain of transmission and decrease the incidence of the disease.66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,1111. Aerts A, Habouzit M, Mschiladze L, Malakmadze N, Sadradze N, Menteshashvili O, et al. Pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons of the ex-USSR state Georgia: results of a nation-wide prevalence survey among sentenced inmates. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2000;4(12):1104-10.,1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of and the factors associated with LTBI in prisoners in the main prison area in Minas Gerais.

METHODS

Study design

This was a cross-sectional cohort study conducted in the two largest prisons (condemned prisoners) in the main prison area in the state of Minas Gerais, both of which are located in the city of Ribeirão das Neves and house 8.4% of the prisoners in the state. A total of 1,492 inmates were included in the present study (67.0% of the prisoners in the prisons under study and 5.8% of the prisoners in the state)1919. Brasil. Ministério da Justiça. Departamento Penitenciário Nacional. Levantamento nacional de informações penitenciárias. Brasília: Ministério da Justiça; 2014. p. 17-21.

20. Ministério Público do Estado de Minas Gerais. [homepage on the Internet]. Belo Horizonte: o Ministério [cited 2016 Apr 1]. Presídio Dutra Ladeira está proibido de receber novos presos até regularizar superlotação. Available from: https://www.mpmg.mp.br/comunicacao/noticias/presidio-dutra-ladeira-esta-proibido-de-receber-novos-presos-ate-regularizar-superlotacao.htm.V777m_krLIV
https://www.mpmg.mp.br/comunicacao/notic...
-2121. Freitas CR. O cárcere feminino: do surgimento às recentes modificações introduzidas pela lei de execução penal. Rev Fac Arnaldo Janssen Direito. 2014;4(4):125-45. between April and June of 2013. The eligibility criteria were as follows: having had no previous treatment for tuberculosis; having no tuberculosis disease at the study outset; and having never undergone a TST.

Administering and reading TSTs

TSTs were performed by the Mantoux method, which consists of administration of 0.1 mL (2 tuberculin units) of M. tuberculosis PPD RT23 (State Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark) on the left forearm. TSTs were read 72 h after being administered, by measuring the maximum transverse diameter of induration with a millimeter ruler. An induration of ≥ 10 mm was considered a positive result for HIV-uninfected individuals, whereas an induration of ≥ 5 mm was considered a positive result for HIV-infected individuals.1414. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221-47. Isoniazid preventive therapy was recommended to all prisoners at risk for developing active tuberculosis.66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011. All TSTs were administered and read by trained and certified professionals for research project participation.

Sampling and bacteriological tests

Sputum samples were collected from individuals with a history of cough, regardless of length of history, for smear microscopy and mycobacterial culture. Drug susceptibility testing was performed if culture was positive, in accordance with the WHO laboratory guidelines.

Serological testing for HIV

Serological testing for HIV was offered to all participants, along with pre- and post-test counseling. 2222. Ministério da Saúde. Instrução Normativa n. 1.626, de 10 de julho de 2007. Regulamenta os procedimentos e condutas para a abordagem consentida a usuários que procuram os serviços de saúde com vistas a realizar testes de HIV e outras DST, bem como aos que não comparecem ao tratamento já em curso. Brasília: Diário Oficial da União; 2007. Positive results by ELIZA were confirmed by the Western Blot method.

Data collection

Educational and awareness-raising activities regarding M. tuberculosis infection were developed for the prison health team and the prisoners. The study participants completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, schooling, occupation before incarceration, and length of incarceration); behavioral characteristics (use of licit and illicit drugs, alcoholism-assessed by the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener screening questionnaire-2323. Mayfield D, McLeod G, Hall P. The CAGE questionnaire: validation of a new alcoholism screening instrument. Am J Psychiatry. 1974;131(10):1121-3.smoking, and contact with active pulmonary tuberculosis patients inside or outside prison); health history (previous treatment for active tuberculosis, BCG vaccination, HIV infection, presence of diabetes mellitus or other diseases, and use of medications); and symptoms suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis (cough, cough duration, expectoration, hemoptysis, fever, adynamia, cyanosis, anorexia, weight loss, and night sweats). The health records available in the prisons were consulted to fill in missing information.

Statistical analysis

The selected characteristics were analyzed descriptively by gender, with results being presented as frequencies, and by univariate and multivariate analysis, with results being presented as measures of central tendency and dispersion. The mean differences for continuous variables were compared using the Student's t-test, whereas the proportions of categorical variables were compared using Pearson's chi-square test. The IBM SPSS Statistics software package, version 21.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis, and the data were recorded in tables. The magnitude of the association between the selected explanatory variables and the event of interest, that is, LTBI, was estimated by calculating ORs with 95% CIs. Variables with a p value of ≤ 0.25 in univariate analysis, as determined by the Wald test, were manually selected to build a multivariate model via a stepwise regression selection procedure. The significance level required for inclusion in the final model containing the selected variables was set at 0.05 to adjust for potential confounders properly. Only the variables showing a significant independent association with the event of interest remained in the final model. The likelihood ratio test was used to compare the models. The goodness of fit of the final models was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

Ethical guidelines

The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Protocol no. 0617.0.203.000-09) on April 5, 2010.

RESULTS

Characteristics of the population

Most of the prisoners agreed to participate in the study (N = 1,431; 96.0%), and, of those, 1,120 (78.0%) were included in the final sample. Of the total number of individuals excluded from the study (n = 311), 68 (21.8%) had undergone a TST previously, whereas 243 (78.1%) had not because of previous tuberculosis (35/243; 14.4%), tuberculosis treatment (4/243; 1.6%), transfer to another prison (13/243; 5.3%), or refusal (191/243; 78.6%; Figure 1).

Figure 1
Individuals selected for inclusion in the study, Minas Gerais, 2013 (N = 1,120). TST: tuberculin skin test; and TB: tuberculosis.

In the study population (Table 1), the mean age was 29 ± 7 years and most individuals had had less than 7 years of schooling (90.0%). The length of incarceration was longer than 12 months for 57.0% of the participants (mean, 28 ± 25 months). Contact with active pulmonary tuberculosis patients occurred outside and inside prison, respectively, in 10.0% and 15.0% of the cases. The proportions of smoking and pre-incarceration alcoholism were, respectively, 61.1% and 24.8%. The use of illicit drugs was reported by 75.0% of the inmates. Of those, 97.0% reported using inhaled drugs, 2.0% reported using injected drugs, and 1.0% reported using inhaled and injected drugs.

Table 1
Descriptive characteristics of the sample of prisoners under study, by gender, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2013 (N = 1,120).a

Diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, silicosis, and use of immunosuppressive medications were reported, respectively, by 1.2%, 0.7%, 0.1%, and 2.9% of the prisoners. Serological testing for HIV was performed in 83.9%, and the result was positive in 0.5%.

In the univariate analysis, LTBI was found to be associated with the following variables: gender; marital status; contact with active tuberculosis patients outside prison; pre-incarceration alcoholism; use of inhaled illicit drugs; diabetes mellitus; chronic renal failure; and chronic use of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 2
Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the study population, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014 (N = 1,120).a

Prevalence of and factors associated with LTBI

The prevalence of LTBI was 25.2%. In the multivariate analysis, the occurrence of LTBI was associated with self-reported contact with active tuberculosis patients inside prison (adjusted OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.05-2.18) and with the use of inhaled drugs (adjusted OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.03-2.13; Table 2). The results of the TSTs were negative for all individuals who tested positive for HIV.

Measures of frequency of symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis infection and of tuberculosis disease

At least one of the symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis (cough, weight loss, loss of appetite, and chest pain) were reported by 68.0% of the study population. Cough and weight loss were the most common symptoms, occurring in 27.0% and 25.0% of the participants, respectively. Of those who reported cough, 43.0% had had the symptom for two weeks or more, corresponding to 131 individuals of the total number of prisoners (11.7%). Two cases were diagnosed with tuberculosis, and the strains were susceptible to rifampin, streptomycin, isoniazid, and ethambutol.

DISCUSSION

The magnitude of LTBI within the Brazilian prison system, as previously mentioned, remains mostly unknown. The prevalence observed in this study (25.2%) was higher than those reported for prisons in countries such as the USA (17.0%),2424. Lobato MN, Leary LS, Simone PM. Treatment for latent TB in correctional facilities: a challenge for TB elimination. Am J Prev Med. 2003;24(3):249-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00583-4
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00...
Australia (14.0%),2525. Levy MH, Butler TG, Zhou J. Prevalence of Mantoux positivity and annual risk of infection for tuberculosis in New South Wales prisoners, 1996 and 2001. N S W Public Health Bull. 2007;18(7-8):119-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/NB07051
https://doi.org/10.1071/NB07051...
and Italy (17.9%),2626. Carbonara S, Babudieri S, Longo B, Starnini G, Monarca R, Brunetti B, et al. Correlates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a prison population. Eur Respir J. 2005;25(6):1070-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/09031936.05.00098104
https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.05.0009...
and in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (20.8%).1313. Carbone Ada S, Paião DS, Sgarbi RV, Lemos EF, Cazanti RF, Ota MM, et al. Active and latent tuberculosis in Brazilian correctional facilities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-...
However, it was lower than those found in Spain (40.3%)2727. Marco A, Solé N, Orcau A, Escribano M, del Baño L, Quintero S, et al. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis in inmates recently incarcerated in a men's prison in Barcelona. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012;16(1):60-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007...
and Switzerland (46.9%),2828. Ritter C, Elger BS. Prevalence of positive tuberculosis skin tests during 5 years of screening in a Swiss remand prison. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012;16(1):65-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0159
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and in other states in Brazil (Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, and São Paulo; range, 30.9-61.5%).2929. Ferreira MM, Ferrazoli L, Palaci M, Salles PS, Medeiros LA, Novoa P, et al. Tuberculosis and HIV infection among female inmates in São Paulo, Brazil: a prospective cohort study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. 1996;13(2):177-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00042560-199610010-00009
https://doi.org/10.1097/00042560-1996100...

30. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
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-3131. Estevan AO, Oliveira SM, Croda J. Active and latent tuberculosis in prisoners in the Central-West Region of Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2013;46(4):515-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-1441-2013
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-1441-2...
These differences highlight the need for studying LTBI in different regions. There have been no studies showing the prevalence of LTBI in the region where the prisons selected for this study are located. In addition, the results of the present study are important not only to Minas Gerais, but also to other regions in Brazil where the prisons have the same scenarios.

Although there has been considerable debate about the use of the TST in places where there is mass vaccination with BCG, the WHO suggests the use of this test to detect LTBI in places where the TST is recommended, especially in adults. In the present study, 89.2% of the participants had been vaccinated more than 10 years prior (mean, 30 years). Therefore, BCG vaccination probably contributed little to TST positivity, because the response to the TST is nearly nonexistent 8-10 years after vaccination.3232. Menzies D, Gardiner G, Farhat M, Greenaway C, Pai M. Thinking in three dimensions: a web-based algorithm to aid the interpretation of tuberculin skin test results. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2008;12(5):498-505.,3333. Ruffino-Netto A. Interpretation of the tuberculin test [Article in Portuguese]. Rev Saude Publica. 2006;40(3):546-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102006000300026
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200600...
The TST may yield false-negative results in people who live with HIV and are not receiving antiretroviral therapy, because the response to the TST is based on the immune response of the individual1414. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221-47.; this is probably the reason why LTBI was not identified in the prisoners recently diagnosed with HIV infection.

Several factors create a favorable context for increasing the prevalence of LTBI in prisoners.1111. Aerts A, Habouzit M, Mschiladze L, Malakmadze N, Sadradze N, Menteshashvili O, et al. Pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons of the ex-USSR state Georgia: results of a nation-wide prevalence survey among sentenced inmates. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2000;4(12):1104-10.,3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
As discussed, this population consists predominantly of young adults from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities with high rates of active tuberculosis. Among other elements posing an increased risk for the development of tuberculosis, the rate of alcoholism (24.8%) was lower than that reported in other studies (39.2-44.1%),3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
whereas the rate of smoking (61.1%) was similar.3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
The use of inhaled illicit drugs (97.0%) was higher than that reported by other authors (25.2-45.2%), whereas the use of injected illicit drugs (2.0%) was lower (7.5-13.1%).2727. Marco A, Solé N, Orcau A, Escribano M, del Baño L, Quintero S, et al. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis in inmates recently incarcerated in a men's prison in Barcelona. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012;16(1):60-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007...

The rate of HIV infection found in our study sample (0.5%) was similar to the mean estimated rate for the Brazilian population (0.4%)3535. Ministe´rio da Sau´de. Secretaria de Vigilância em Sau´de. Departamento de DST, Aids e Hepatites Virais. Boletim Epidemiológico Aids e DST. Brasi´lia: o Ministério; 2013.; however, it was lower than those reported by other authors (1.0-11.3%). 1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63.,2727. Marco A, Solé N, Orcau A, Escribano M, del Baño L, Quintero S, et al. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis in inmates recently incarcerated in a men's prison in Barcelona. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2012;16(1):60-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.11.0007...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
,3636. Reichard AA, Lobato MN, Roberts CA, Bazerman LB, Hammett TM. Assessment of tuberculosis screening and management practices of large jail systems. Public Health Rep. 2003;118(6):500-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3549(04)50286-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3549(04)50...
Therefore, it is important to detect LTBI in the HIV-infected population so that preventive measures can be taken, because HIV-infected individuals with LTBI have an 8.0-10.0% annual risk of developing active tuberculosis, as do users of inhaled illicit drugs with LTBI. In contrast, HIV-uninfected individuals with LTBI have a 10.0% lifetime risk of developing tuberculosis.1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63.,3737. Smieja MJ, Marchetti CA, Cook DJ, Smaill FM. Isoniazid for preventing tuberculosis in non-HIV infected persons. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001363.

In the prisons selected for this study, treatment of LTBI was not given to prisoners with diabetes mellitus, those with chronic renal failure, or those receiving immunosuppressants, although preventive therapy is recommended for these groups, which are considered at high risk for developing tuberculosis.66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1414. Targeted tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. This is a Joint Statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statement was endorsed by the Council of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. (IDSA), September 1999, and the sections of this statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(4 Pt 2):S221-47.

Chief among the conditions of the prison environment that can favor the spread of the disease are limited exposure to sunlight,55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011. overpopulation,55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.,1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63.,3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
and inadequate ventilation.55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
To this context, we can add lack of training in tuberculosis control activities among prison health teams55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008. and limited access to health care in prisons.3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
Therefore, changes should be made to the physical structures of prisons, and training in tuberculosis control should be provided to prison health teams.

In the present study, the likelihood of LTBI was found to be increased when the prisoners reported contact with someone with tuberculosis disease, a finding that has also been observed by several authors.33. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Plan Regional de Tuberculosis 2006-2015. Washington, DC: OPS; 2006.,1313. Carbone Ada S, Paião DS, Sgarbi RV, Lemos EF, Cazanti RF, Ota MM, et al. Active and latent tuberculosis in Brazilian correctional facilities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
This might indicate an increased perception by the prisoners of the health risk related to the disease, since there is a high frequency of tuberculosis in the environment. 3838. Diuana V, Lhuilier D, Sánchez AR, Amado G, Araújo L, Duarte AM, et al. Health in the prison system: representations and practices by prison guards in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Article in Portuguese]. Cad Saude Publica. 2008;24(8):1887-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2008000800017
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200800...
There was an association between the use of inhaled illicit drugs and LTBI, but no association was found between smoking and LTBI; the use of inhaled illicit drugs probably leads to greater tissue damage and greater impairment of mucociliary activity, which is the body's first line of protection when the bacilli enter the airways.3939. Rich AR, editor. The Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publisher; 1944.

The expected rate of individuals with RS in Brazil is 1.0% in the general population.66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011. Among the prisoners included in this study, the proportion of individuals with RS was found to be 11.7-fold higher than that in the general population; however, it was lower than those reported in other studies conducted in Brazil (20.6-36.1%).1313. Carbone Ada S, Paião DS, Sgarbi RV, Lemos EF, Cazanti RF, Ota MM, et al. Active and latent tuberculosis in Brazilian correctional facilities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0764-...
,3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
,3434. Kuhleis D, Ribeiro AW, Costa ER, Cafrune PI, Schmid KB, Costa LL, et al. Tuberculosis in a southern Brazilian prison. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012;107(7):909-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762012000700012
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-0276201200...
This can be explained by the poor infrastructural conditions in the prisons and by the high rates of smoking and use of inhaled illicit drugs.

There is no consensus in the scientific literature regarding an ideal mechanism for identification of people who are more likely to develop tuberculosis among prisoners.55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,99. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Prevention and control of tuberculosis in correctional and detention facilities: recommendations from CDC. Endorsed by the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the American Correctional Association. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-9):1-44.,1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...
,1616. Golub JE, Mohan CI, Comstock GW, Chaisson RE. Active case finding of tuberculosis: historical perspective and future prospects. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005;9(11):1183-203. However, the identification of chronic cough is used as a screening tool.1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...
,1616. Golub JE, Mohan CI, Comstock GW, Chaisson RE. Active case finding of tuberculosis: historical perspective and future prospects. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005;9(11):1183-203.,3636. Reichard AA, Lobato MN, Roberts CA, Bazerman LB, Hammett TM. Assessment of tuberculosis screening and management practices of large jail systems. Public Health Rep. 2003;118(6):500-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3549(04)50286-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-3549(04)50...
Some authors have reported that this symptom alone is not relevant to raising a suspicion of tuberculosis in this population. 3838. Diuana V, Lhuilier D, Sánchez AR, Amado G, Araújo L, Duarte AM, et al. Health in the prison system: representations and practices by prison guards in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [Article in Portuguese]. Cad Saude Publica. 2008;24(8):1887-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2008000800017
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200800...
Surveillance for cases of pulmonary tuberculosis should preferably include a combination of symptoms (fever, weight loss, and asthenia, for instance) rather than consider chronic cough alone. 3030. Lemos AC, Matos ED, Bittencourt CN. Prevalence of active and latent TB among inmates in a prison hospital in Bahia, Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2009;35(1):63-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132009000100009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3713200900...
,4040. Cain KP, McCarthy KD, Heilig CM, Monkongdee P, Tasaneeyapan T, Kanara N, et al. An algorithm for tuberculosis screening and diagnosis in people with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(8):707-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0907488
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0907488...
The symptom approach is the only screening tool available in most resource-poor settings.55. Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Guía para el control de la tuberculosis en poblaciones privadas de libertad de América Latina y el Caribe. Washington, DC: OPS; 2008.,66. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Manual de recomendações para o controle da tuberculose no Brasil. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011.,88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.,1515. Lönnroth K, Corbett E, Golub J, Godfrey-Faussett P, Uplekar M, Weil D, et al. Systematic screening for active tuberculosis: rationale, definitions and key considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2013;17(3):289-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797
https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0797...

16. Golub JE, Mohan CI, Comstock GW, Chaisson RE. Active case finding of tuberculosis: historical perspective and future prospects. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005;9(11):1183-203.

17. Legrand J, Sanchez A, Le Pont F, Camacho L, Larouze B. Modeling the impact of tuberculosis control strategies in highly endemic overcrowded prisons. PLoS One. 2008;3(5):e2100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002100
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.000...
-1818. Kendig N. Tuberculosis control in prisons. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1998;2(9 Suppl 1):S57-S63. In addition, symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis may be nonspecific where there are high rates of other conditions associated with respiratory diseases, such as smoking.88. Bone A, Aerts A, Grzemska M, Kimerling M, Kluge H, Levy M, et al. Tuberculosis control in prisons; a manual for programme managers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.

Minas Gerais, despite having the second largest overall population in the country, has the fourth lowest incidence rate of tuberculosis. It is possible that the prevalence rates of LTBI and active tuberculosis for the prisons selected for this study are not as high as those reported for other prisons because of the local epidemiological context.

One of the limitations of the present study is the fact that data on exposure and outcome were collected at the same time, which makes it difficult to understand the temporal relationship between them and provides a static view of the dimension of the problem. Another limitation was that the incidence rates of LTBI and tuberculosis disease were not evaluated.

In conclusion, the prevalence of LTBI was high among the prisoners of the two largest prisons in Minas Gerais, as well as being associated with self-reported contact with active tuberculosis patients inside prison and with the use of inhaled drugs. Our findings demonstrate that it is necessary to improve the conditions in prisons, as well as to introduce strategies, such as chest X-ray screening, in order to detect tuberculosis cases and, consequently, reduce M. tuberculosis infection within the prison system.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the members of the Group of Research on Mycobacterial Diseases and the staff of the Mycobacterial Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Minas Gerais School of Medicine. The authors are also grateful to the staff of the Central Laboratory of Public Health of the state of Minas Gerais/Octávio Magalhães Institute/Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED, Ezequiel Dias Foundation). In addition, the authors would like to thank the Minas Gerais State Departments of Health and Social Defense and the Graduate Program in Adult Health of the Federal University of Minas Gerais School of Medicine.

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  • Financial support:

    This study received financial support from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, Foundation for the Support of Research in the State of Minas Gerais; Process nos. APQ 03266-13 and APQ 00094-12), the Brazilian Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; Process nos. CNPq 446796/2014 and 310174/2014-7), and the Minas Gerais State Departments of Social Defense and Health.
  • Study carried out at the Universidade de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG) Brasil.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Sep-Oct 2016

History

  • Received
    29 Jan 2016
  • Accepted
    31 July 2016
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