Latent tuberculosis infection in risk groups of the adult population of the Saratov Region

Abstract

Introduction. The priority of anti-tuberculosis work in the Saratov Region is the early detection of the disease and the prevention of new cases of pathology. The presence of medical and social risk factors for developing tuberculosis significantly increases the risk of developing local forms of tuberculosis, especially if patients have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).Aim. To assess the prevalence of LTBI in the adult population with an increased risk of developing tuberculosis in the adult population.Materials and methods. The design of the study is a retrospective non-comparative. The data of patients from high-risk groups for the development of the disease for the period of 2015–2019, examined using a skin test with a recombinant tuberculosis allergen (Diaskintest, Generium JSC, Russia) in the Saratov Region, were analyzed.Results. 153,120 people from medical outpatient risk groups and 3,099 people from social risk groups were examined. Among adults with medical risk factors for developing tuberculosis, the largest number of positive and doubtful results of Diaskintest were recorded in patients with chronic bronchopulmonary pathology – 15.88%; among the group of those surveyed with social risk factors for developing tuberculosis – in persons released from penitentiary institutions (25.88%).Conclusions. The decrease in incidence rates in the Saratov Region confirms the correctness of the chosen tactics regarding the use of the Diaskintest test to identify individuals with LTBI among the adult population and the implementation of measures to reduce the reservoir of tuberculosis infection. Given the effectiveness of the measures taken, it is advisable to work with risk groups for Diaskintest and further examination in a general medical network. To do this, it is necessary to make additions to the current Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated March 21, 2017 No. 124n “On approval of the procedure and terms for conducting preventive medical examinations of citizens in order to detect tuberculosis” regarding the use of recombinant tuberculosis allergen samples in the adult population.