title: Factors associated with latent tuberculosis among asylum seekers in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study in Vaud County.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in asylum seekers (AS) may prevent future cases of tuberculosis. As the screening with Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is costly, the objective of this study was to assess which factors were associated with LTBI and to define a score allowing the selection of AS with the highest risk of LTBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  In across-sectional study, AS seekers recently arrived in Vaud County, after screening for tuberculosis at the border were offered screening for LTBI with T-SPOT.TB and questionnaire on potentially risk factors. The factors associated with LTBI were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 393 adult AS, 98 (24.93%) had a positive IGRA response, five of them with active tuberculosis previously undetected. Six factors associated with LTBI were identified in multivariate analysis: origin, travel conditions, marital status, cough, age and prior TB exposure. Their combination leads to a robust LTBI predictive score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of LTBI and active tuberculosis in AS is high. A predictive score integrating six factors could identify the asylum seekers with the highest risk for LTBI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine (PMU), Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland. apostolos.sarivalasis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarivalasis
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zellweger
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faouzi
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Daher
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deslarzes
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bodenmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult