Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Globally, about a third of the world’s population is infected with latent TB infection
(LTBI). Immuno-compromised individuals with latent tuberculosis infection are at
increased risk for tuberculosis reactivation compared with the general population. In HIVpositive
individuals a thorough assessment of LTBI is crucial because such populations are at
higher risk of reactivating LTBI because ofHIV.
Objectives:The overall aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis
andassociated risk factors among people living with HIV (PLWH) and apparently healthy
controls at University of Gondar referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
Method and Materials:A hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at
University of Gondar referral hospital. The study population was HIV positive individuals,
and for comparison purpose apparently healthy blood donors were also enrolled. Pretested
and structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and clinical related
factors. Six ml of blood was collected from each study participants. The presence of
latent tuberculosis was characterized using QuantiFeron-TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT)
and CD4+ T cell count was also done by using BD FACS count. Data entry was done using
Statistical PackageEpi-Info Version7 and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. A 95%
confidence interval and P-value less than 0.05 wereconsidered as statistically significant.
Results:The overall magnitude of LTBI in both groups was 46.0%. The prevalence of LTBI
among PLWH was 44.2% and on the other hand the magnitude among healthy controls was
47.8%. Close contact (AOR = 5.21 ( 95% CI: 1.72-15.75) and 4.46 ( 95% CI: 1.67-11.92)and
family history of TB(AOR = 3.79 (95% CI: 1.20-11.98 and 3.91 (95% CI: 1.18-12.90)were
significantly associated with the development of LTBI in PLWH and apparently healthy
blood donors respectively while taking INH prophylaxis was a protective factor for LTBI.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Latent tuberculosis infection among HIV positive individuals
in this study was slightly lower than control groups. HIV positive individuals should be
screened and take prophylaxis treatment (INH) to reduce LTBI and LTBI reactivation.
