Tuberculosis, AIDS, and death among substance abusers on welfare in New York City

Article Abstract:

The risks of AIDS, tuberculosis and death among drug and alcohol abusers in a poor, urban community appear to be much higher than the risks faced by the general population. Researchers examined the records of 858 welfare clients in New York City who were abusing drugs or alcohol at the time of a medical examination in 1984. Eight years after the examination, 5.5% of the study participants had developed tuberculosis, 9.8% had developed AIDS, and 21.3% had died. Compared to the city's general population, the study group was nearly 15 times more likely to develop tuberculosis, 10 times more likely to develop AIDS, and over 5 times more likely to die. A positive tuberculin skin test at the initial examination did not predict the likelihood of subsequent development of tuberculosis. The findings suggest the need for better health services within the welfare system.

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Urban poor, Welfare recipients, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, AIDS (Disease)

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Outbreak of tuberculosis among regular patrons of a neighborhood bar

Article Abstract:

Tuberculosis may spread at a bar if a person who frequents the bar has an especially infectious case of the disease. A man who spent much of his time at a neighborhood bar had advanced tuberculosis appeared to infect several others associated with the bar. Researchers conducted interviews, tuberculin skin tests, chest x-rays, and/or sputum analysis of patrons and employees of the bar. Of 97 people associated with the bar, 41 had tubercular infections, 14 of whom had active tuberculosis. In addition, four regular patrons of the bar who were not included in the study had active tuberculosis. The DNA in the sputum of 11 tested patients matched the DNA in the sputum of the initial patient. The incidence of tuberculosis in this bar may have been enhanced by high levels of alcohol consumption and the elevated infectiousness of the initial patient.

Bars, saloons, etc., Bars (Drinking establishments)

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Tuberculosis among Tibetan immigrants from India and Nepal in Minnesota, 1992-1995

Article Abstract:

Immigrants from Tibet may have active tuberculosis or a tuberculosis exposure and should be carefully screened. In 1990, 191 Tibetans migrated from India and Nepal to the Minneapolis area. Ninety-eight percent had a positive TB test, indicating that they had been exposed to TB. Sixteen had active TB and almost one-third of them had not been detected using blood cultures for Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis. Thirty-eight percent had a strain of M. tuberculosis that was resistant to one or more anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Tibetans

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