Latent tuberculosis among Latino migrant farmworkers in Connecticut.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

It is estimated that the prevalence rate of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) for the United States general population is less than 5%. The prevalence of LTBI among Connecticut migrant workers has not been reported. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST), a potential measure of LTBI in migrant workers, at one Connecticut farm.

METHODS

A two-step standardized TST was performed on farmworkers recruited in a migrant clinic setting. Those with negative results on the first-step were offered the second. Workers with positive results were referred to community health centers for assessment and examined by a physician investigator.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine male workers were recruited from a population of approximately 200. Of these, 57 consented to the first-step TST, and 26% tested positive. Over 96% of the 57 tested workers were from Mexico. None had symptoms or signs of active tuberculosis.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a high percentage of asymptomatic Connecticut Latino migrant farmworkers have LTBI. This finding has public health implications for TB control strategies in the state.