Prisons as reservoir for community transmission of tuberculosis, Brazil.

Flávia P.C. Sacchi,Renata M. Praça,Mariana B. Tatara,Jason R. Andrews,Lucilaine Ferrazoli,Philip N. Suffys,Albert I. Ko,Julio Croda,Mariana G. Croda,Vera Simonsen

doi:10.3201/eid2103.140896

Abstract

We conducted a population-based study of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Dourados, Brazil, to assess the relationship between incarceration and TB in the general population. Incarceration was associated with TB in an urban population; 54% of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were related to strains from persons in prisons. TB control in prisons is critical for reducing disease prevalence.

Highlights

We conducted a population-based study of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Dourados, Brazil, to assess the relationship between incarceration and TB in the general population
During a 4-year period in a medium-size city in Brazil, 25% of TB cases occurred among prisoners, who represented
Among cases in ex-prisoners, 83% (10/12) were diagnosed in the first 2 years after release from prison, which suggests recent infection acquired in the prison setting

Summary

Introduction

We conducted a population-based study of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Dourados, Brazil, to assess the relationship between incarceration and TB in the general population. The Study Dourados has a population of ≈177,160 persons, of which 1,500 are inmates of a prison for men. A total of 240 TB cases were reported, of which 60 (25%) and 180 (75%) were in prisoners and community residents, respectively (Figure 1).

Results

Conclusion