Determinants of losses in the latent tuberculosis cascade of care in Brazil: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated factors associated with losses in the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cascade of care in contacts of tuberculosis (TB) patients, in a referral center from a highly endemic region in Brazil. METHODS: Contacts of 1672 TB patients were retrospectively studied between 2009 and 2014. Data on TB screening by clinical investigation, radiographic examination and tuberculin skin test (TST) were extracted from medical records. Losses in the cascade of care and TB incidence within 2-year follow-up were calculated. RESULTS: From a total of 1180 TB contacts initially identified, only 495 were examined (58% loss), and 20 were diagnosed with active TB at this stage. Furthermore, 435 persons returned for TST result interpretation and 351 (~81%) were TST positive. Among those with positive TST, 249 (73%) were treated with isoniazid for 6 months whereas 51 abandoned therapy early. Three individuals who did not receive LTBI treatment, one with incomplete treatment and another who completed treatment developed active TB. A logistic regression analysis revealed that increases in age were associated with losses in the LTBI cascade independent of other clinical and epidemiological characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Major losses occur at initial stages and older patients are at higher risk of not completing the LTBI cascade of care.