Brinkmann Folke, Friedrichs Anette, Behrens Georg Mn, Behrens Pia, Berner Reinhard, Caliebe Amke, Denkinger Claudia M, Giesbrecht Katharina, Gussew Alexander, Hoffmann Anna Theresa, Hojenski Leonhard, Hovardovska Olga, Dopfer-Jablonka Alexandra, Kaasch Achim J, Kobbe Robin, Kraus Monika, Lindner Andreas, Maier Christoph, Mitrov Lazar, Nauck Matthias, de Miranda Susana Nunes, Scherer Margarete, Schmiedel Yvonne, Stahl Dana, Timmesfeld Nina, Toepfner Nicole, Vehreschild Janne, Wohlgemuth Walter A, Petersmann Astrid, Vehreschild Maria J G T
University Children's Hospital, Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Department of Internal Medicine I, Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
J Infect Public Health. 2024 Apr;17(4):642-649. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.02.003. Epub 2024 Feb 16.
Vulnerability to infectious diseases in refugees is dependent on country of origin, flight routes, and conditions. Information on specific medical needs of different groups of refugees is lacking. We assessed the prevalence of infectious diseases, immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases, and chronic medical conditions in children, adolescents, and adult refugees from Ukraine who arrived in Germany in 2022.
Using different media, we recruited Ukrainian refugees at 13 sites between 9-12/2022. An antigen test for acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, serologies for a range of vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) for tuberculosis (TB), and SARS-CoV-2 were performed. We assessed personal and family history of chronic medical conditions, infectious diseases, vaccination status, and conditions during migration.
Overall, 1793 refugees (1401 adults and 392 children/adolescents) were included. Most participants were females (n = 1307; 72·3%) and from Eastern or Southern Ukraine. TB IGRA was positive in 13% (n = 184) of the adults and in 2% (n = 7) of the children. Serology-based immunological response was insufficient in approximately 21% (360/1793) of the participants for measles, 32% (572/1793) for diphtheria, and 74% (1289/1793) for hepatitis B.
We show evidence of low serological response to vaccine-preventable infections and increased LTBI prevalence in Ukrainian refugees. These findings should be integrated into guidelines for screening and treatment of infectious diseases in migrants and refugees in Germany and Europe. Furthermore, low immunity for vaccine-preventable diseases in Ukrainians independent of their refugee status, calls for tailor-made communication efforts.
难民对传染病的易感性取决于原籍国、逃亡路线和条件。目前缺乏关于不同难民群体具体医疗需求的信息。我们评估了2022年抵达德国的乌克兰儿童、青少年和成年难民中传染病的患病率、对疫苗可预防疾病的免疫力以及慢性疾病情况。
2022年9月至12月期间，我们通过不同媒体在13个地点招募了乌克兰难民。对新型冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）感染进行抗原检测，对一系列疫苗可预防疾病进行血清学检测，同时对结核病（TB）和SARS-CoV-2进行干扰素γ释放试验（IGRAs）。我们评估了慢性疾病、传染病的个人和家族史、疫苗接种状况以及迁移期间的情况。
总共纳入了1793名难民（1401名成年人和392名儿童/青少年）。大多数参与者为女性（n = 1307；72.3%），来自乌克兰东部或南部。成人中13%（n = 184）的结核IGRA呈阳性，儿童中2%（n = 7）呈阳性。约21%（360/1793）的参与者对麻疹、32%（572/1793）对白喉、74%（1289/1793）对乙型肝炎的基于血清学的免疫反应不足。
我们发现乌克兰难民对疫苗可预防感染的血清学反应较低，潜伏性结核感染患病率增加。这些发现应纳入德国和欧洲移民及难民传染病筛查和治疗指南。此外，乌克兰人无论其难民身份如何，对疫苗可预防疾病的免疫力较低，这就需要开展有针对性的宣传工作。
