High rate of transmission in a pulmonary tuberculosis outbreak in a junior high school in China, 2020.

Abstract

Background:

School tuberculosis outbreaks are common in China. This study aimed to introduce a new screening process to help control outbreaks.

Methods:

An epidemiological investigation into a school-based tuberculosis outbreak was conducted in order to identify the origin of the infection, and how it was transmitted.

Results:

In total, 10 confirmed active tuberculosis cases were diagnosed among student contacts in the index case's class, giving an incidence rate of 19.2% (10/52). Three were found through a proactive visit and seven through screening. Of the nine secondary cases, two had purified protein derivation of tuberculin (PPD) ≥ 15 mm or blister (confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan before preventive therapy), five had TST ≥ 10 mm and < 15 mm (two with abnormal chest radiography scan and three with positive T-SPOT tests, confirmed by CT) and two with PPD ≥ 5 mm and < 10 mm (confirmed by CT scan through proactive visit).

Conclusion:

Further to our results based on this school outbreak, a new screening process is recommended that involves conducting interferon gamma release assays on those students with PPD ≥ 5 mm and < 15 mm if there are three or more active tuberculosis patients in the class with an epidemiological link. Furthermore, a CT scan is recommended for students who have had a recent tuberculosis infection before they have preventive therapy.

• Authors: Peng Lu, Feng Lu, Qiao Liu, Ling Tang, Xiaoyan Ding, Wen Kong, Wei Lu, Limei Zhu
• Journal: IJID regions (IJID Reg) Vol. 1 Pg. 117-123 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 2772-7076 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35757819 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.