796. Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Refugee Population

Abstract

Background. As tuberculosis (TB) rates decline in the United States, many new cases are among individuals who migrated from countries with a high incidence of TB. Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County screens incoming refugees for active and latent TB. The objective of this study was to estimate the number of active cases of TB prevented through screening and treatment of LTBI. Methods. Data were collected through retrospective chart review of refugee seen between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2015. Refugees younger than 5 years old were excluded. New cases of active TB identified from July 1, 2011 through August 31, 2017 were reviewed for cases in refugees. The number of expected new, active TB cases was 100-150 per 100,000 person-years of follow-up (McBride, MJA 2012). Results. A total of 607 charts were reviewed: 373 were males, 234 females. Ages ranged from 6 to 77 years, average 27.4 years. The leading countries of origin were Kenya (79), Iraq (68), Rwanda (59), Ethiopia (55), and Nepal (52). There were three cases of active TB diagnosed on initial evaluation; there were no cases of active TB diagnosed in 2,341 person-years of follow-up. Among refugees, 23.1% had positive T-Spots; highest in the 36-45 age group (35.0%) and refugees from South to East Asia (29.6%). LTBI was diagnosed in 21.1% of refugees; highest in the 46-55 age group (33.3%) and refugees from South to East Asia (27.8%). The majority of subjects with LTBI completed treatment (78.9%). Treatment completion was highest among the 13-17 age group (100.0%), males (81.4%), and refugees from South to East Asia (92.9%); lowest in the >56 age group (40.0%) and European region (50.0%). Conclusion. Based on published data, an estimated 2.3-3.5 active cases of TB were prevented through this program. Treatment completion rates were higher than reported for non-refugee populations. Results indicate the program is effective at screening for and preventing development of active TB.