Publication date: Jan 21, 2025

Systemic vasculitis patients are at a higher risk of developing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, there is currently no literature elucidating the positivity rate and risk factors for LTBI in systemic vasculitis patients. Our study is a multi-center, cross-sectional study that enrolled systemic vasculitis patients from 13 comprehensive hospitals in China. T-SPOT. TB as the screening method for LTBI, the study investigated the positivity rate of LTBI in systemic vasculitis patients and the factors associated with T-SPOT. TB results. A total of 191 systemic vasculitis patients were included and the positive rate of T-SPOT. TB was 31. 4%. The highest T-SPOT. TB positivity rate was observed in BehcE7et’s syndrome (BD) (72/191, 37. 7%). There were statistically significant differences between the LTBI group and non-LTBI group in terms of systemic vasculitis type (P = 0. 010), albumin levels (P = 0. 034), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0. 016), and corticosteroid dosage (P = 0. 047). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that smoking history (aOR = 3. 809, 95%CI: 1. 341-10. 817) and BD (aOR = 2. 106, 95%CI: 1. 042-4. 254) were independent risk factors of T-SPOT. TB postive results, besides decreased lymphocyte count (aOR = 0. 114, 95%CI: 0. 013-0. 973), and high-dose glucocorticoids use (aOR = 0. 386, 95%CI: 0. 149-1. 003) were independent risk factors of T-SPOT. TB negative results. The prevalence of LTBI is high in systemic vasculitis patients, especially those with BD or smoking history. Patients with decreased lymphocyte counts and high-dose glucocorticoid use are more likely to have a negative T-SPOT. TB results. Therefore, LTBI screening should be performed based on the characteristics of the patient during the diagnosis and treatment of systemic vasculitis. Key Points • We explored the positivity rate and risk factors of LTBI in systemic vasculitis patients from 13 hospitals in China. • There were 191 systemic vasculitis patients in our study. The positive rate of T-SPOT. TB was 31. 4%. The predominant type of systemic vasculitis was BD, with a T-SPOT. TB positive rate of 44. 4%. The second type was TA, with a T-SPOT. TB positive rate of 25. 0%. • The prevalence of LTBI is high in systemic vasculitis patients, especially those with BehcE7et’s syndrome or smoking history. Decreased lymphocyte counts and high-dose glucocorticoid use are more likely to have a negative T-SPOT. TB results. • LTBI screening using T-SPOT. TB should be conducted during the diagnosis and treatment of systemic vasculitis.

Open Access PDF

Semantics

Original Article