Latent and active Tuberculosis in healthcare workers and professionals in two regions of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 24/13006-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: FREDI ALEXANDER DIAZ QUIJANO
• Grantee: FREDI ALEXANDER DIAZ QUIJANO
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Erica Chimara Silva ; Francisco Chiaravalloti Neto ; Marisa Ailin Hong ; Mellina Yamamura Calori ; Regina Maura Cabral de Melo Abrahão

Abstract

Healthcare professionals and workers are at greater risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and the development of active tuberculosis, compared to other workers and the general population. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and incidence, and identify associated factors of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active tuberculosis, in health professionals and workers from four different health units of the Health Care Network (RAS) in the state of São Paulo. Methods: Observational study that will consist of the application of an individual questionnaire, application and reading of the tuberculin skin test (TST), performance of the Interferon-Gamma release test (IGRA), execution of bacilloscopy and culture, with subsequent identification and susceptibility test to antituberculosis drugs. The results obtained in TST and IGRA will be compared to assess their agreement in the studied population. The information collected will be typed to build a database. A descriptive analysis will be carried out by producing graphs and tables and calculating prevalence estimates. Association estimates will be carried out using regressions (e.g., log-binomial) with adjustments guided by a conceptual model. After one year, a second assessment will be conducted in the same workers and professionals, to calculate the incidences. Expected results: it is believed that the study will contribute to identifying the profile of latent and active tuberculosis cases in workers and health professionals and evaluate a new test for detecting latent tuberculosis in this population. (AU)