Directly observed therapy for tuberculosis in New York City: factors associated with refusal.

OBJECTIVES: To describe patients who utilize hospital-based directly observed therapy (DOT) programs and to describe factors that influence refusal of DOT. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis through hospital admission in 1997 at 12 hospital sites with out-patient DOT programs. Data were obtained from hospital patient records and from the New York City Tuberculosis Case Registry. RESULTS: Of 443 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1997 at the 12 hospital sites and available and/or eligible for DOT, 52 (12%) refused DOT. The two main reasons for DOT refusal were that the patients felt they could self-medicate (21%) and that their work schedule interfered with a DOT program (19%). White non-Hispanic race/ethnicity was associated with refusal of DOT (P = 0.001). Conversely, interview for DOT while in the hospital (P < 0.001) and enrollment in drug treatment were associated with acceptance of DOT (P = 0.05). The five hospitals with tuberculosis clinics on site had the lowest percentages (0-9%) of patients refusing DOT. CONCLUSION: To increase patient acceptance of DOT, programs need flexible hours that accommodate patients in the workforce. Patient education should focus on the difficulty of completing tuberculosis treatment on a self-administered regimen and the importance of the support offered through DOT.     

Risk factors for drug-resistant tuberculosis among non-US-born persons in New York City.

SETTING: New York City (NYC). OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which prior tuberculosis (TB) treatment, length of residence in the United States and other factors are associated with the occurrence of drug resistance among non-US-born persons in NYC. DESIGN: Cases were non-US-born persons diagnosed with TB in NYC from 1998-1999 and from 2001-2002, with an initial Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate resistant to any first-line anti-tuberculosis drug. Controls were randomly selected from non-US-born persons whose isolates were susceptible to all first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. RESULTS: Overall, cases with multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB were more likely to have had prior TB treatment; other drug resistance was not associated with prior TB treatment. In a multivariate model, the relationship between MDR-TB and prior treatment remained significant for non-US-born persons regardless of length of time in the U.S. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the utility of monitoring trends in drug resistance among the non-US-born by time in the US and prior treatment to determine where or when drug resistance may be occurring.     

Mortality associated with drug misuse among blacks in New York City, 1979-1981.

A comparison of age-specific death rates from "drug dependence" (ICD 304) among Blacks and Whites in New York City for 1979-1981 found two distinct patterns of mortality. Blacks have higher levels of mortality which extend from the central adult years into middle age while deaths among Whites are confined largely to the younger years (below 35). Among both racial groups, mortality is much higher for males than for females. When male undercount is "corrected," the ratios between male and female deaths are smaller. The difference in economic opportunities for Whites and Blacks is suggested as a reason why Whites "age out" of the years of highest risk before Blacks.     

Screening for infection and disease as a tuberculosis control measure among indigents in New York City, 1994-1997.

SETTING: Several social service agencies in New York City, and the Chest Clinic of Bellevue Hospital, a large public hospital. OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of screening as a preventive and control measure among persons at risk for tuberculosis. DESIGN: Persons seeking social services at several private agencies in New York City were screened, and those with a positive skin test or symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis were referred to the Chest Clinic for evaluation. RESULTS: Of 3828 persons evaluated, 20 had active tuberculosis, and 33% of the screened cohort were tuberculin skin test positive. Of 466 persons with tuberculosis infection who were evaluated, only 55 persons were given isoniazid (INH), and only 20 completed preventive therapy. Most patients who were not given INH had taken it previously, were older than 35 years, or had continuing alcohol use which made physicians reluctant to prescribe isoniazid. CONCLUSION: Screening for tuberculosis may detect a significant number of cases of active disease when the background prevalence of the disease is very high. However, screening for infection as a means to prevent future cases is unlikely to be effective unless rates of administration and completion of isoniazid preventive therapy are increased.     

Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis among eight hospitals in New York City, 1996-1997.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis isolated from patients cared for at eight hospitals scattered throughout New York City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of tuberculosis occurring in 1996 and 1997 at collaborating hospitals were identified, and demographic data were extracted from patient charts. All available isolates were analyzed by IS6110 for genetic relatedness. The molecular fingerprints were compared both to each other and to the larger repository of strains from New York City developed and maintained at the Public Health Research Institute. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty cases were fully characterized. Compared with New York City cases, study patients were more likely to be Asian and less likely to be non-Hispanic blacks. Overall, 97 (54%) of the cases were clustered with respect to other study strains or with respect to the other New York City isolates. Clustered strains were significantly more likely to be from non-Hispanic blacks or patients born in the United States. The largest cluster (n = 17) was the "W" strain previously associated with an outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in New York City. In the current study, the majority of W strain isolates were fully drug-susceptible. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of genetically related tuberculosis continue to occur among patients in New York City, in spite of improved control of nosocomial outbreaks and dramatic decreases in the overall case rates. The use of molecular techniques to suggest patterns of transmission has become essential in developing and assessing routine tuberculosis control strategies.     

Human immunodeficiency virus infection among homeless men in a New York City shelter. Association with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence among a selected sample of 169 high-risk homeless men residing in a congregate shelter in New York City, NY, was 62%. Seropositivity for HIV correlated significantly with intravenous drug use (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 4.4) and active tuberculosis (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.4 to 13.5). Most cases of active tuberculosis were among homeless men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex; and significant CD4 lymphocyte depletion was associated with active tuberculosis. Total time homeless correlated positively with active and latent tuberculosis infection. Compliance rates with return for HIV antibody test results, medications, and follow-up visits were 70%, suggesting a significant degree of knowledge, awareness, and personal concern regarding HIV infection among homeless men; yet 28% of homeless intravenous drug users continue active drug injection, despite HIV infection. Cohabitation in overcrowded congregate dormitories creates a risk of airborne transmission of tuberculosis, which is a common reactivation infection in HIV-seropositive homeless men. Medically appropriate housing should be provided to such homeless persons, and expanded HIV antibody testing, counseling, and medical services on site should be offered to residents of shelters.     

Population-based study of malignancies and HIV infection among injecting drug users in a New York City methadone treatment program, 1985-1991.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining malignancies in injecting drug users with and without HIV infection in a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP). DESIGN: Prospective study within a hospital-affiliated MMTP with on-site primary medical services. The MMTP has been the site of a voluntary longitudinal cohort study of HIV infection since 1985. METHODS: Active surveillance for all new cancer cases occurring among patients in the MMTP between July 1985 and August 1991. Cancer cases were identified by review of clinic and hospital records, hospital-based tumor registries, and New York City vital records. Cancer incidence was determined for the overall MMTP population and for HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative cohort study subgroups. RESULTS: During the study period the MMTP population comprised 2174 patients followed for 5491 person-years; 844 patients (380 HIV-seropositive, 464 HIV-seronegative) also participated in the cohort study. Fifteen non-AIDS-defining malignancies occurred among all MMTP patients (2.73 cases per 1000 person-years); the most frequent sites were lung, larynx, and cervix (n = 6, 2 and 2, respectively). Eighty per cent of patients with these cancer diagnoses and known HIV serologic status were seropositive. Within the cohort study group, six out of 380 HIV-seropositives developed non-AIDS-defining cancers versus one out of 464 HIV-seronegatives (P = 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Lung cancer cases in HIV-seropositive patients tended to occur at an earlier age and was more aggressive than in patients with HIV-seronegative or unknown status. During the same period, two cases of AIDS-defining lymphoma and one case of Kaposi's sarcoma were diagnosed in the MMTP population (0.5 cases per 1000 person-years). CONCLUSION: Solid neoplasms, while infrequent, were associated with HIV infection and were more common than AIDS-defining cancers in this population of drug injectors. Further study is needed to explore the relationship between HIV, behavioral factors, and cancer risk in injecting drug users.     

HIV-1 infection among New York City inmates

A blinded seroprevalence survey for HIV-1 infection was conducted among individuals entering New York City (NYC) prisons in 1989. Data collected included age group, race/ethnicity, syphilis serologic results and self-admitted drug use. Remnant serum specimens were tested for HIV-1 antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot. Of 2236 inmates surveyed, 413 (18.5%) were HIV-1 positive. Rates varied by subgroup, and were higher for women than men (25.8 versus 16.1%; odds ratio 1.8; P less than 0.01), for drug users than inmates who denied drug use (25 versus 14%; odds ratio 2.3; P less than 0.01), for intravenous heroin users (43 versus 15% in drug users not using heroin), and for inmates with positive rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) results (34.5 versus 16.1% in RPR-negative inmates). Use of intravenous heroin was most strongly related, by logistic regression, to HIV-1 seropositivity. The results are among the highest found in US inmates, and suggest that there were 12,500 seropositive individuals incarcerated in 1989. This represents approximately 10% of the estimated number of seropositive individuals in NYC. The NYC Correctional System should be viewed as a front-line institution in the fight against AIDS through provision of HIV-related prevention services and clinical care, and drug treatment.     

Prevalence and factors associated with current smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence and evaluate factors associated with smoking among high school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan. A school-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in three towns in Karachi, namely, Gadap Town, Bin-Qasim Town and Malir Town, from January through May 2003. Two-stage cluster sampling stratified by school type was employed to select schools and students. We recruited and interviewed 772 male students regarding socio-demographic factors, smoking history of students, their families/friends, number of siblings, and place of residence. The prevalence of smoking (30 days) among adolescents was 13.7%. Final multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and place of residence, being a student at a government school (OR=1.6; 95% Cl: 1.0-2.7), parental smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.1-2.8), uncle smoking (OR = 1.7; 95% Cl: 1.2-2.8), peer smoking (OR = 6.2; 95% Cl: 3.9-9.9), and spending leisure time outside home (OR = 3.9; 95% Cl 1.2-13.2) were significantly associated with adolescent smoking.     

Prevalence, genotypes and factors associated with HCV infection among prisoners in Northeastern Brazil

AIM:To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence and its genotypes,and to identify the factors associated with HCV infection.METHODS:This cross-sectional study,conducted in two prisons (one male and one female) in the State of Sergipe,Brazil,comprised 422 subjects.All of the prisoners underwent a rapid test for the detection of HCV antibodies.Patients with a positive result were tested for antiHCV by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and for HCV RNA by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The ...     

Abortions and HIV-1 infection in New York City, 1987-1989.

OBJECTIVE: This serologic survey was performed to determine rates of HIV-1 infection among New York City (NYC) women seeking abortions. DESIGN: Anonymous unlinked blood samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of HIV-1 antibodies. Abortion clinics were chosen for the representativeness of their patient population to all women obtaining abortions in NYC. SETTING: Blood samples and demographic information, including age group, race/ethnicity, borough of residence and type of payment were obtained from 15 abortion sites (11 clinics, four hospitals) in NYC between 1987 and 1989. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5889 blood samples were collected from women seeking abortions. Twelve of the 15 facilities were sampled in all 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We determined HIV infection rates in the overall sample and in selected subpopulations, and assessed temporal trends. Stepwise logistic regression was applied to identify factors independently associated with HIV-1 infection. RESULTS: The rate of HIV-1 infection in the overall sample was 1.19% (70 out of 5889) and remained stable in the 12 facilities sampled during all 3 years: 1987 (1.42%, 17 out of 1200); 1988 (1.67%, 20 out of 1200); and 1989 (0.90%, 27 out of 2989) (P = 0.09). Logistic regression identified receiving Medicaid and being aged between 25 and 35 years to be independently associated with HIV-1 infection. CONCLUSION: Approximately 1200 women seeking abortions annually in NYC are infected with HIV-1. If accessibility to elective abortion is curtailed, the number of children born to HIV-1 infected mothers will increase.     

Risk factors for infection with human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug abusers in New York City

We report here the results of a survey of 308 intravenous drug abusers recruited from hospital-based methadone maintenance or drug detoxification programmes located in Manhattan, New York City. Complete interviews and serological analyses for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent and Western blot assays were obtained from 290 (94%) of the subjects. HIV antibodies were found by both assays in 147 (50.7%) of the tested subjects; conflicting results were found in three (1%) of the subjects; and negative results on both tests were found in 140 (48.3%) of the subjects. Logistic regression analysis identified significant relative risks for HIV infection associated with the frequency of drug injection and the proportion of injections in 'shooting galleries'. Additional risk among men was associated with a history of homosexual relations. Traditional efforts taken by subjects to clean syringes between uses, such as washing with water or alcohol, showed no evidence of being protective. Programmes aimed at prevention of HIV infection should focus on reducing use of shooting galleries and sharing of needles and syringes as well as reducing intravenous drug abuse generally.     

Transmission trends for human immunodeficiency virus associated tuberculosis in New York City.

SETTING: Since 1992, tuberculosis (TB) control measures have reduced incidence rates in New York City and elsewhere. Nevertheless, trends have not been uniform in all demographic groups. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated TB in New York during the 1990s, we analyzed social, demographic and clinical characteristics and genetic data on Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates among persons with known HIV-status. DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study to compare patients with HIV-associated TB and patients with TB alone. RESULTS: Of 546 patients (70.5%) in the Department of Health Tuberculosis Control Registry treated for TB, 385 also had documented HIV status; 198 were HIV-infected (51%) and 187 (49%) were not. Genotype analysis of the 385 M. tuberculosis isolates identified 200 (52%) clustered strains, representing recent transmission. Although the overall percentage of TB cases associated with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) clustering fell over the period studied, HIV-associated cases were still much more likely to be associated with clustering than non-HIV-associated cases. CONCLUSIONS: Continued attention is required to contain the spread of TB in this vulnerable population.     

HIV prevalence among tuberculosis patients in The Netherlands, 1993-2001: trends and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence and predictive factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among tuberculosis (TB) patients in The Netherlands during the period 1993-2001. DESIGN: Data were obtained from the national surveillance register of all patients notified with TB (all forms) during the period of the study. In addition, records or discharge notes were checked of a random sample of 200 TB patients notified in 1995 and another 200 in 2001. RESULTS: Of 13 269 patients diagnosed with TB, 542 were HIV-positive (4.1%). Prevalence was 4.1% in 1993-1995, 3.8% in 1996-1998 and 4.4% in 1999-2001. The highest prevalence was observed among drug users (29.2%), homeless patients (20.1%) and patients residing illegally in the country (9.1%). Compared with the period 1993-1995, the relative risk of HIV infection in the periods 1996-1998 and 1999-2001 decreased significantly for drug using patients (P = 0.006), and increased for patients from African countries (P < 0.001). According to patient records, 29/184 (16%) had been tested for HIV in 1995 and 39/190 (21%) in 2001 (P = 0.289); 18 patients tested positive (4.8%). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of HIV among TB patients in The Netherlands remained stable between 1993 and 2001, the distribution of risk groups changed over this period.     

Prevalence and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers in Georgia.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Georgia, but few TB infection control measures have been implemented in health care facilities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for latent TB infection (LTBI) among Georgian health care workers (HCWs) using two diagnostic tests, the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube test (QFT-3G), an interferon-gamma release assay. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2006 among HCWs at the Georgian National TB Program. RESULTS: Of 265 HCWs enrolled, 177 (67%) had a positive TST and 159 (60%) had a positive QFT-3G; 203 (77%) had a positive result for at least one of the tests and 50% tested positive for both tests. There was moderately good agreement between the tests (74%, kappa = 0.43, 95%CI 0.33-0.55). In multivariate analysis, employment for >5 years was associated with increased risk of a positive TST (OR 5.09, 95%CI 2.77-9.33) and QFT-3G (OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.27-4.01); age >30 years was associated with an increased risk of a positive QFT-3G (OR 2.91, 95%CI 1.32-6.43). DISCUSSION: A high prevalence of LTBI was found among Georgian HCWs and longer duration of employment was associated with increased risk. These data highlight the need for effective TB infection control measures and provide important baseline information as TB infection control measures are implemented.     

Differential decline in tuberculosis incidence among US- and non-US-born persons in New York City.

SETTING: A large urban tuberculosis control program. OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in tuberculosis incidence and characteristics of cases in New York City (NYC), and assess the epidemiology of tuberculosis among non-US-born persons. DESIGN: Tuberculosis surveillance data (1995-1999) for NYC were analyzed. RESULTS: Tuberculosis incidence decreased by 56.6% in US-born and 19.6% in non-US-born persons (age-adjusted) over the study period. The decline in tuberculosis incidence among US-born persons was more substantial in the first half of the study period (23-24%) than in the second half (13-15%). The greatest decline in incidence was among US-born Hispanic or Black males aged 25-64. However, although there was an overall decline in incidence among non-US-born persons, there was no significant change in any sex or racial/ethnic subgroup. The percent of multidrug-resistant (MDR) cases among non-US-born patients remained stable, but recent arrivals accounted for 79% of non-US-born MDR-TB patients in 1999, a significant increase from 16% in 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing current tuberculosis control efforts and treatment of immigrants with latent tuberculosis infection are of highest priority for reducing incident cases in NYC. Global collaboration towards earlier detection and treatment of active tuberculosis cases in high incidence countries is also essential.     

Prevalence and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection in close contacts with tuberculosis patients among non-resident populations in Shanghai,China

<正>Objective To investigate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis(TB)infection(LTBI),and to identify the riskfactors in close contacts of pulmonary TB patients among non-resident population in Shanghai.Methods The study subjects were the close contacts of pulmonary TB patients among non-resident populations in Xuhui,Minhang and