Latent and Active Tuberculosis: Evaluation of Injecting Drug Users

BACKGROUND: There is a high risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among injecting drug users (IDUs). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the frequency of latent and active TB infection among IDUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study between 2008 and 2009, IDUs referred to the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) centers in Hamedan-Iran, undergone tuberculin skin test (PPD; purified protein derivative) were recruited. The participants with positive results for PPD test (> 5 mm and > 10 mm in HIV positive and negative cases), undergone other complementary procedures such as chest-X-ray and sputum smear test. RESULTS: Overall, 268 IDUs between 18 and 70 (mean: 34.5 [8.2]) years were included in the study. PPD test had positive findings in 49 cases (18.3%). There was no significant difference of PPD positivity between HIV positive and negative participants (17.7% vs. 18.5%). An active TB was found among IDUs. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of latent and active TB among IDUs indicates the need for TB screening tests among this population.