title: Time of development of tuberculosis in contacts.
abstract: The British Thoracic Association has recommended that close contacts of smear-positive cases of tuberculosis be followed up for at least 2 yrs (Tubercle 1978; 59: 245-259) but Selby et al. have recently suggested that a reduction in duration of follow up may be appropriate (Respir Med 1989; 83: 353-355). We have reviewed the results of contact procedures in Leeds to determine whether our experience supports reduction in the duration of follow up of contacts of patients with tuberculosis. In the 5-yr period 1983-87 there were 555 cases of tuberculosis (135 in Asians) of whom 42 (7.6%) were identified by contact procedures. In addition, contact procedures identified 35 children who were given chemoprophylaxis for positive Heaf tests (grade 2 or more). Of the 42 contacts with tuberculosis, 30 (71%) were diagnosed at the first visit, eight (19%) were diagnosed 6 months later and four (10%) were diagnosed 16-24 months after their initial clinic attendance. Five of the 42 contacts with TB were Asian, two of whom were diagnosed late. Seven out of ten non-Asian contacts who were diagnosed late had initial Heaf reactions of grade 1 or 2. All cases diagnosed late were contacts of a sputum-positive source. Poverty, as defined by residence in the Leeds Urban Priority Area, was associated with an increased risk of 3.3-fold for tuberculosis and a sixfold risk for chemoprophylaxis diagnosed by contact procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Leeds Chest Clinic, U.K.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Teale
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Cundall
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Pearson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014505:Urban Population