Latent and Active Tuberculosis: Evaluation of Injecting Drug Users

BACKGROUND There is a high risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among injecting drug users (IDUs). OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the frequency of latent and active TB infection among IDUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional study between 2008 and 2009, IDUs referred to the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) centers in Hamedan-Iran, undergone tuberculin skin test (PPD; purified protein derivative) were recruited. The participants with positive results for PPD test (> 5 mm and > 10 mm in HIV positive and negative cases), undergone other complementary procedures such as chest-X-ray and sputum smear test. RESULTS Overall, 268 IDUs between 18 and 70 (mean: 34.5 [8.2]) years were included in the study. PPD test had positive findings in 49 cases (18.3%). There was no significant difference of PPD positivity between HIV positive and negative participants (17.7% vs. 18.5%). An active TB was found among IDUs. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of latent and active TB among IDUs indicates the need for TB screening tests among this population.