[Prevalence of tuberculosis in a population from Kosovo sheltered in Catalonia, Spain]

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of tubeculosis (TB) among refugees is high. The goal was to detect TB active cases in a group of refugees from Kosovo and to describe the prevalence of TB infection.

Patients and method: 222 people sheltered in Catalonia, Spain, were tested for TB using the Mantoux method and a chest x-ray. The odds ratio (OR) was adjusted by the age of presenting a positive PPD test for different diameters of induration according to the previous BCG vaccination history.

Results: No cases of active TB were detected and 82% of the population was found to be vaccinated with BCG. The OR of presenting a positive PPD was higher, and statistically significant, in vaccinated subjects compared to non-vaccinated ones for indurations >= 5 mm and >= 10 mm (OR: 4.5 and 3.6 respectively).

Conclusions: BCG-vaccinated subjects from this population can be considered to be infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis as long as the induration is higher than 15 mm.