Interrelation between intestinal parasite and latent tuberculosis infections among newly resettled refugees in Texas

Objective: To describe the distribution and demographic characteristics of newly-arrived refugees in Texas with regard to intestinal parasite and latent tuberculosis infections.  A secondary objective was to determine whether an association exists between intestinal parasite and latent TB within this population.

Methods: De-identified refugee screening data for all refugees who arrived in Texas between January 2010 and mid-October 2013 were obtained from the Texas Refugee Health Screening Program within the Texas Department of State Health Services.  Refugees who were screened for intestinal parasites and latent TB were included in the study.  Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the objectives.

Results: Approximately one-third of the study population had latent TB, and more than one quarter were infected with pathogenic parasites.  The majority of refugees who were positive for latent TB was 18-34 years old, was male, and arrived from Southeast Asia.  The majority of refugees who were positive for parasite infection was 0-17 years old, was male, and arrived from Southeast Asia.  Possible associations between latent TB and parasite infection were also examined while controlling for the effects of age, gender, and country of origin.

Conclusion: Despite ongoing improvements in overseas refugee health processing and procedures, latent TB and intestinal parasite infections persist as common conditions among newly arriving refugee populations.