Latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis disease rates among the homeless, New York, New York, USA, 1992-2006

John M McAdam; Scott J Bucher; Philip W Brickner; Richard L Vincent; Steven Lascher

doi:10.3201/eid1507.080410

Latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis disease rates among the homeless, New York, New York, USA, 1992-2006

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Jul;15(7):1109-11. doi: 10.3201/eid1507.080410.

Authors

John M McAdam¹, Scott J Bucher, Philip W Brickner, Richard L Vincent, Steven Lascher

Affiliation

¹ St Vincent's Hospital, Manhattan, New York, New York 10011, USA.

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to examine trends in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and TB disease rates among homeless persons in shelters in New York, NY, 1992-2006. Although TB case rates fell from 1,502/100,000 population to 0, a 31% LTBI rate in 2006 shows the value of identifying and treating TB in the homeless.

MeSH terms

Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
New York City / epidemiology
Population Density
Public Housing / statistics & numerical data
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Skin Tests / statistics & numerical data*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology*
United States / epidemiology

Substances

Antitubercular Agents