Screening for Tuberculosis Infection in Risk Groups in the Adult Population of Moscow

The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of screening for tuberculosis infection in risk groups among adults using the skin test with tuberculous recombinant allergen (TRA) - Diaskintest®.

Subjects and Methods. In 2019-2021, screening for tuberculosis infection in risk groups and in the population with an unknown risk was carried out covering 449,842 people. People aged 18 years and older were examined - patients of the Tuberculosis Control Center, polyclinics and hospitals of medical organizations of the Moscow Health Department. Questionable results were taken into account as positive results of the TRA test.

Results. The frequency of positive results of the TRA test in healthy population was as follows: in those contacting pregnant women and newborns - 2.0% (95% CI 1,54-2,10); in decreed groups (workers in food industry, water supply organizations, utilities) - 2,68% (95% CI 2,54-2,82). The situation was different in social risk groups (foreign citizens and stateless persons) - they responded positively to the TRA test in 21,05% (95% CI 20,08-22,06). Most of them arrived to Moscow from states with a high burden of tuberculosis. High-risk groups also include those abusing alcohol and substances; they had positive results in 10,58% (95% CI 8,41-13,24). Among the medical risk groups, the highest rates were observed in those followed up by tuberculosis control services after tuberculosis treatment completion - 39,96% (95% CI 38,31-41,64).

Conclusion. Screening in the groups facing the highest risk of developing tuberculosis had a positive effect and once again confirmed the need to screen both resident and migrating population. The immunological skin test with Diaskintest is a reliable tool for examining tuberculosis risk groups.

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