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Tuberculosis Specific Interferon-Gamma Production in a Current Refugee Cohort in Western Europe

Author

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  • Alexandra Jablonka

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christian Dopfer

    (Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christine Happle

    (Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    German Center for Lung Research, Partner Site Hannover BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Georgios Sogkas

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Diana Ernst

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Faranaz Atschekzei

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Stefanie Hirsch

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Annabelle Schäll

    (Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Adan Jirmo

    (Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    German Center for Lung Research, Partner Site Hannover BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Philipp Solbach

    (German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Reinhold Ernst Schmidt

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Georg M. N. Behrens

    (Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Martin Wetzke

    (German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
    Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

Abstract

Background: In 2015, a high number of refugees with largely unknown health statuses immigrated to Western Europe. To improve caretaking strategies, we assessed the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in a refugee cohort. Methods: Interferon-Gamma release assays (IGRA, Quantiferon) were performed in n = 232 inhabitants of four German refugee centers in the summer of 2015. Results: Most refugees were young, male adults. Overall, IGRA testing was positive in 17.9% (95% CI = 13.2–23.5%) of subjects. Positivity rates increased with age (0% <18 years versus 46.2% >50 years). Age was the only factor significantly associated with a positive IGRA in multiple regression analysis including gender, C reactive protein, hemoglobin, leukocyte, and thrombocyte count and lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, basophil, and eosinophil fraction. For one year change in age, the odds are expected to be 1.06 times larger, holding all other variables constant ( p = 0.015). Conclusion: Observed LTBI frequencies are lower than previously reported in similar refugee cohorts. However, as elderly people are at higher risk for developing active tuberculosis, the observed high rate of LTBI in senior refugees emphasizes the need for new policies on the detection and treatment regimens in this group.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Jablonka & Christian Dopfer & Christine Happle & Georgios Sogkas & Diana Ernst & Faranaz Atschekzei & Stefanie Hirsch & Annabelle Schäll & Adan Jirmo & Philipp Solbach & Reinhold Ernst Schmi, 2018. "Tuberculosis Specific Interferon-Gamma Production in a Current Refugee Cohort in Western Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1263-:d:152558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ourania S. Kotsiou & David S. Srivastava & Panagiotis Kotsios & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2018. "The Emergency Medical System in Greece: Opening Aeolus’ Bag of Winds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Hester Korthals Altes & Serieke Kloet & Frank Cobelens & Martin Bootsma, 2018. "Latent tuberculosis infection in foreign-born communities: Import vs. transmission in The Netherlands derived through mathematical modelling," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Bennett, R.J. & Brodine, S. & Waalen, J. & Moser, K. & Rodwell, T.C., 2014. "Prevalence and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection among newly arrived refugees in san diego county, january 2010-october 2012," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(4), pages 95-102.
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    Cited by:

    1. Osnat Keidar & David S. Srivastava & Emmanouil Pikoulis & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, 2019. "Health of Refugees and Migrants—Where Do We Stand and What Directions Should We Take?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Christian Dopfer & Annabelle Vakilzadeh & Christine Happle & Evelyn Kleinert & Frank Müller & Diana Ernst & Reinhold E. Schmidt & Georg M. N. Behrens & Sonja Merkesdal & Martin Wetzke & Alexandra Jabl, 2018. "Pregnancy Related Health Care Needs in Refugees—A Current Three Center Experience in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, September.

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