Latent tuberculosis infection among medical students in Malaysia
- Author:
Maha ABDULLAH
1
;
Ummi Nadira DAUT
1
;
Siti Aishah DAUD
1
;
Nor Afifi Mohd ROMLI
1
;
Marsitah Abdul JALIL
1
;
Noorelina MUHAMMAD
1
;
Safarina Mohammad ISMUDDIN
1
;
Masriana HASSAN
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Interferon-gamma release assay; Latent tuberculosis infection; Medical students
- From: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2019;12(4):181-184
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to determine prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among medical students and tuberculosis exposure at the health facilities. Methods: A cross-section of study year 1 (n=68) and year 5 (n=75) medical students in a local university were recruited for latent tuberculosis infection testing using QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus and a questionnaire analyzed for multivariate risk. Results: The majority of the study were vaccinated with BCG. None of year 1 medical students were positive for latent tuberculosis infection, however, six (8.0%) year 5 students were tested positive for latent tuberculosis infection. A higher incidence of year 5 medical students claimed to be exposed to tuberculosis at health facility (65.3% vs. 4.4%) and a higher percentage reported contact with tuberculosis case over the preceding year compared to year 1 students (30.7% vs. 8.8%). Conclusion: We observed a higher incidence of latent tuberculosis infection and higher exposure to tuberculosis in health facilities among year 5 medical students. Baseline screening and monitoring for progression to tuberculosis infection may benefit tuberculosis management programs.
