The association between exposure to air pollutants and latent tuberculosis infection prevalence in the elderly population: a population-based cross-sectional study from China

Key Points

• The research aims to explore the link between air pollution exposure and the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the elderly in China.
• Conducted a population-based cross-sectional analysis
• Evaluated air pollution exposure and LTBI prevalence in urban areas of China
• Compared LTBI prevalence across different regions
• Prolonged exposure to air pollutants significantly increases the odds of developing LTBI
• Notable regional disparities in LTBI prevalence were observed
• Findings highlight the need for targeted air pollution management strategies