Estimating Latent Tuberculosis Infection Using Interferon-γ Release Assay, Japan

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) poses a global health challenge.
• International student populations may have varying risks for tuberculosis exposure.
• Accurate LTBI prevalence estimation is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among foreign-born students at Keio University.
• To identify risk factors associated with LTBI in this student demographic.
• To inform public health strategies for tuberculosis control in university settings.

Main Methods:

• Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was utilized for LTBI detection.
• Student data was analyzed based on country of origin and tuberculosis incidence rates.
• Prevalence rates were calculated for different risk groups.

Main Results:

• A significant LTBI rate of 10.0% was observed in students from countries with tuberculosis incidence exceeding 100 cases per 100,000 persons.
• This highlights a higher burden of LTBI in specific foreign-born student cohorts.
• The findings underscore the importance of country-specific tuberculosis epidemiology.

Conclusions:

• Universities should consider targeted screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in foreign-born students.
• Screening should prioritize students originating from countries with high tuberculosis incidence rates.
• Implementing LTBI screening can aid in early detection and prevention of active tuberculosis cases in academic environments.