Prevalence and Associated Factors with Transmission of Latent Tuberculosis among Household Contacts of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Malaysia

Contact investigations are extremely important components that involved effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) control programs. Close contacts of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases, such as household members, are most likely to become infected because of intense and/or prolonged exposure to index cases. Thus, these contacts are highly recommended to be diagnosed. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and associated factors with the transmission of latent TB infection among household contacts of index cases in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among household contacts of index cases who attended at three Respiratory Specialist Clinic and those who warded at six Hospitals in Peninsular West Malaysia. Blood samples were collected using QFT-G tubes. An ELISA machine was performed for tests and the result was calculated using QFT-GIn-Tube software. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis. A total of 139 participants were enrolled in this study, comprised 69 index cases and 70 household contacts. The index cases comprised 46 (66.7%) males and 23 (33.3%) females, with mean age and SD of 41.78 (17.1 years. By contrast, the household contacts include 38 (54.3%) females and 32 (45.7%) males, with mean age and SD of 36.12 (16.88) years. The overall prevalence of LTBI was 52.8% (95%CI, 0.405 and 0.649). The significant associated factors with LTBI transmission were sputum smear positive (forAFB) [AOR:6.09,95% CI:(1.40, 26.45), (P<0.016)] and cough presence [AOR: 0.15,95%CI:(0.03, 0.62), (P<0.009)]. The prevalence of LTBI among the household contacts of index cases in Malaysia is relatively high. Cough presence and sputum smear positive were significant factors associated with LTBI transmission among household contacts. The strengthening of infection control is very crucial and should be immediately adopted to prevent or reduce TB transmission within the community