Prevalence, incidence and determinants of QuantiFERONTM positivity in South African schoolchildren

Stewart, Justine, Walker, Neil, Jennings, Karen, Delport, Carmen, Nuttall, James, Coussens, Anna K., Dyers, Robin, Jolliffe, David A., Tang, Jonathan C. Y. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6305-6333, Fraser, William D., Wilkinson, Robert J., Bekker, Linda-Gail, Martineau, Adrian R. and Middelkoop, Keren (2024) Prevalence, incidence and determinants of QuantiFERONTM positivity in South African schoolchildren. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 1 (5). pp. 206-214. ISSN 1027-3719

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Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) control requires the understanding and disruption of TB transmission. We describe prevalence, incidence and risk factors associated with childhood TB infection in Cape Town. Methods: We report cross-sectional baseline and prospective incidence data from a large trial among primary school children living in high TB-burden communities. Prevalent infection was defined as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) positivity as assessed at baseline. Subsequent conversion to QFT-Plus positivity was measured 3 years later among those QFT-Plus-negative at baseline. Multivariable logistic regression models examined factors associated with TB infection. Results: QuantiFERON-positivity at baseline (prevalence: 22.6%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 20.9 – 24.4), was independently associated with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.24 per additional year, 95% CI: 1.15 – 1.34) and household exposure to TB during the participant’s lifetime (aOR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.46 – 2.40). QFT-Plus conversion at year 3 (12.2%, 95% CI: 10.5-14.0; annual infection rate: 3.95%) was associated with household exposure to an index TB case (aOR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.05 to 7.18). Conclusion: Rates of QFT-diagnosed TB infection remain high in this population. The strong association with household TB exposure reinforces the importance of contact tracing, preventative treatment and early treatment of infectious disease to reduce community transmission.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	05 Apr 2024 11:31
Last Modified:	22 May 2024 11:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/94841
DOI:	10.5588/ijtldopen.24.0084

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