Tuberculin sensitivity testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis remains effective for tuberculosis control in human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients in Hong Kong
التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
العنوان:
Tuberculin sensitivity testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis remains effective for tuberculosis control in human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients in Hong Kong
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether a policy to treat latent tuberculosis identified by annual tuberculin sensitivity testing is effective for tuberculosis control in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Hong Kong. DESIGN Historical cohort study. SETTING Integrated Treatment Centre, Department of Health, Hong Kong. PATIENTS Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus without a history of tuberculosis were offered annual tuberculin sensitivity testing, coupled with treatment of latent tuberculosis if they tested positive. All such patients were followed for new tuberculosis. RESULTS In all, 1154 patients on antiretroviral therapy, contributing to 5587 patient-years of observation, were analysed; 1032 patients (89%) received annual tuberculin sensitivity testing. Their baseline characteristics, including CD4 counts and other risk factors for tuberculosis, did not differ significantly from those who declined testing. The overall incidence rate of tuberculosis was 0.59 case per 100 patient-years. It was lower in those who received annual tuberculin sensitivity testing than those who did not (0.41 vs 3.85 per 100 patient-years; P
