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Article Type

Article

Abstract

LTTB is a common condition occurring in one fourth of those who were exposed to mycobacterial bacilli with Medically induced immunosuppression stands as a significant risk factor for having LTTB. Aim of the study: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of LTTB in patients on immunosuppressive agents and biological treatment. A cross-sectional research of 150 patients on immunosuppressants and biological therapy for diverse diseases at Baghdad teaching hospital outpatient rheumatology, dermatology, and TB clinics between 2023 and 2024 was done. All patients were examined with a detailed clinical history, physical exam, and chest x-ray or CT scan. IGRA testing was done per manufacturer instructions and evaluated as positive, negative, or indeterminate. The study involved 149 patients with autoimmune diseases, using immunosuppressants like methotrexate and azathioprine. Significant differences in sex distribution, smoking status, infliximab usage, and disease duration were observed between IGRA-positive and IGRA-negative patients. While univariable analysis showed several factors influencing IGRA test positivity, only disease duration was significant in multivariable analysis. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis in the cohort was 34.9%. In conclusion, High prevalence of latent Tuberculosis (34.9%) was found in patients who were treated with immunosuppressive agents and biological therapies, of them Smoker, male, and infliximab-treated patients were significantly susceptible to LTTB.

Keywords

Latent tuberculosis, Biological therapy, Immunosuppression, Infliximab

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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