The burden and predictors of latent tuberculosis infection among elder adults in high epidemic rural area of tuberculosis in Zhejiang, China

Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is critical to tuberculosis (TB) control. Identifying the risk factors associated with LTBI can contribute to developing an optimized strategy for LTBI management. We conducted a survey of adults aged 65 years and older living in rural areas in Zhejiang Province during July 2021, followed by a one-year follow-up period to determine TB incidence. Participants underwent a physical examination and 5–6 mL of blood was drawn to test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection A total of 1856 individuals participated in the study, of whom 50.5% were men and 80.1% were married. Most participants (96.8%) often opened windows for ventilation at home. One-third (33.4%) of participants had abnormal chest radiographs and 34.9% had LTBI. Nine participants (0.5%) developed active TB patients during the one-year follow-up period. People who frequented closed entertainment places such as chess and card rooms had a relatively high percentage of LTBI (39.5%). Factors associated with a higher risk of LTBI in multivariable logistic regression analysis included being male (odds ratio [OR]:1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] =:1.01-1.72), smoking (OR: 1.43; 95% CI:1.04-1.97), not opening windows for ventilation at home frequently (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.10–3.22), and abnormal chest radiographs (OR; 1.48; 95% CI; 1.20–1.81). LTBI was prevalent among the elder adults living in high-epidemic rural areas of TB in Zhejiang province. Men, people who smoke, and people without the habit of ventilating at home should be targeted for LTBI screening to accelerate the decline of the TB epidemic in Zhejiang Province.