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Christopher DJ, Priya N, Shankar D, Isaac B, DeLuca A, Sarkar S, Prakash Babu S, Samuel P, Cattamanchi A, Gupta A, Ellner J, Srinivasan S, Cox S, Thangakunam B. Tuberculin test using Indian indigenous purified-protein derivative (PPD) shows only moderate agreement with international standard PPD. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis 2024; 34:100404. [PMID: 38174327 PMCID: PMC10761766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2023.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In India, the prevalence of Latent TB infection (LTBI) is estimated to be around 40%. Various formulations of PPD(Purified protein derivative) are available, for diagnosis of LTBI, which may give variable responses. The commercially available PPD in India is by Arkray Healthcare (TST-Arkray). It is unclear if this product may have a similar sensitivity compared to other internationally accepted tuberculins (TST-Tubersol). Objectives To assess the performance of the two TSTs compared to Quantiferon-Gold Plus (QFT-Plus). Methodology A blood sample was collected for the QFT-Plus test. Both the TSTs were placed in the right and the left volar aspect of the forearms and 48 hrs later, the subjects came back to the study site for reading. Results Among the 512 participants who were recruited, 326 subjects were healthcare professionals and 186 subjects were household contacts of patients with tuberculosis. They were tested with both TST-Tubersol and TST-Arkray, 139(27 %) participants tested positive for TST-Tubersol (≥10 mm), whereas 203 participants (40.1 %)tested positive for TST-Arkray. There was moderate agreement between the two tests with k = 0.58. Also, there was only poor agreement between both the TSTs with QFT Plus(kappa = 0.19 for Tubersol and 0.17 for Arkray). With QFT-Plus as gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of TST-Tubersol, ast an induration cut-off of 10 mm was 46.8 %,76.3 %,31.8 % and 85.8 %. respectively and TST- Arkray; 60.6 %, 64 %, 28.5 % and 87.2 % respectively. Conclusion The Indian TST (Arkray Diagnostics) has shown moderate agreement with the internationally accepted Tubersol. Additionally, there was poor agreement between the TSTs and QFT plus test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devasahayam J. Christopher
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal Village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code 632 517, India
| | - N. Priya
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal Village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code 632 517, India
| | - Deepa Shankar
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal Village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code 632 517, India
| | - Barney Isaac
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal Village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code 632 517, India
| | - Andrea DeLuca
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sonali Sarkar
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu 605006, India
| | - Senbagavalli Prakash Babu
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu 605006, India
| | - Prasanna Samuel
- Department of G.I. Sciences & Dept. of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Adithya Cattamanchi
- Medicine and Public health, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Amita Gupta
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 540, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jerrold Ellner
- Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Medicine, MSB A901, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| | - Sudha Srinivasan
- Division of AIDS (DAIDS)/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 9E29, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Samyra Cox
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Phipps 540, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Balamugesh Thangakunam
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal Village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, Pin Code 632 517, India
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Sepehri N, Saghanezhad SM, Khoddami F, Arasteh A, Delirakbariazar M, Khaledi A. Meta-analysis of latent tuberculosis in healthcare workers in Iran: a retrospective review. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:965-974. [PMID: 33537763 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Here we review the status of latent tuberculosis (LTB) in Iranian healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS A literature search was conducted using keywords according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses instructions. Cross-sectional studies published from 1 January 2000 through 1 January 2019 were retrieved. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software using the random effects model, Cochran's Q and I2 tests. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plot and Egger's linear regression test. RESULTS Among 774 articles retrieved in the primary literature search, 21 studies met the eligibility criteria. No publication bias was observed among the included studies (p=0.07). The prevalence of LTB ranged from 7% to 63% in Iranian HCWs from different geographical areas. The overall combined prevalence of LTB among Iranian HCWs was 30.9% (95% confidence interval 24.2 to 38.5). Also, 52.4% of the included studies showed a significant correlation between occupation and LTB incidence (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of LTB was high among Iranian HCWs. This requires developing comprehensive information databases and surveillance systems for detecting LTB among HCWs. It is also essential to periodically screen for LTB in HCWs to provide a timely diagnosis of the infection. It is recommended to perform a tuberculin skin test, a useful tool for screening and treatment of LTB, on an annual basis in HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Farshad Khoddami
- School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Amin Arasteh
- Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Azad Khaledi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Science, PO Box 87155.111, Kashan 87154, Iran
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Risk of Occupational Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Health Personnel Measured by Interferon-Gamma Release Assays in Low Incidence Countries-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020581. [PMID: 31963207 PMCID: PMC7027002 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) have increased risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and tuberculosis (TB) disease due to their occupational exposure. For some years now, interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) have replaced the tuberculin skin test for the diagnosis of LTBI in many countries. This review examined the occupational risk of LTBI in HCWs with IGRA testing in low incidence countries. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from 2005 onwards provide data regarding the prevalence of LTBI in HCWs. In addition, the pooled effect estimates were calculated for individual regions and occupational groups. 57 studies with 31,431 HCWs from four regions and a total of 25 countries were analysed. The prevalence of LTBI varied from 0.9 to 85.5%. The pooled estimation found the lowest prevalence of LTBI for North American and West Pacific countries (<5%), and the highest prevalence for Eastern Mediterranean countries (19.4%). An increased risk for LTBI was found only for administrative employees. Studies on the occupational risk of LTBI continue to show increased prevalence of HCWs, even in low-incidence countries. Good quality studies will continue to be needed to describe occupational exposure.
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Is latent tuberculosis infection challenging in Iranian health care workers? A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223335. [PMID: 31581258 PMCID: PMC6776393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The high chances of getting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among health care workers (HCWs) will an enormous problem in low and upper-middle-income countries. Method Search strategies were done through both national and international databases include SID, Barakat knowledge network system, Irandoc, Magiran, Iranian national library, web of science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and Google Scholar search engine. The Persian and the English languages were used as the filter in national and international databases, respectively. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms was used to controlling comprehensive vocabulary. The search terms were conducted without time limitation till January 01, 2019. Results The prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs, based on the PPD test was 27.13% [CI95%: 18.64–37.7]. The highest prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs were estimated 41.4% [CI95%: 25.4–59.5] in the north, and 33.8% [CI95%: 21.1–49.3] in the west. The lowest prevalence of LTBI was evaluated 18.2% [CI95%: 3.4–58.2] in the south of Iran. The prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs who had work-experience more than 20 years old were estimated 20.49% [CI95%: 11–34.97]. In the PPD test, the prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs who had received the Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) was estimated 15% [CI95%: 3.6–47.73]. While, in the QFT, the prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs in non-vaccinated was estimated 25.71% [CI95%: 13.96–42.49]. Conclusions This meta-analysis shows the highest prevalence of LTBI in Iranian’s HCWs in the north and the west probably due to neighboring countries like Azerbaijan and Iraq, respectively. It seems that Iranian’s HCWs have not received the necessary training to prevent of TB. We also found that BCG was not able to protect Iranian’s HCWs from TB infections, completely.
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Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Healthcare Workers in Duhok Province: From Screening to Prophylactic Treatment. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4020085. [PMID: 31126022 PMCID: PMC6631700 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and, hence, of developing tuberculosis (TB) disease. The aims of this study are to identify the prevalence and determinants of latent TB infection (LTBI) among HCWs in Duhok Province. This is a cross-sectional prospective study conducted during April–July 2018 in different health care facilities of Duhok province. HCWs at multiple levels were selected by a non-systematic random sampling method. Information on demographic and associated risk factors of LTBI were collected by using a standardized questionnaire. Thereafter, all HCWs underwent QuantiFERON Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay. HCWs with indeterminate QFT-Plus underwent a Tuberculin Skin Test. HCWs with positive results were further evaluated by smear microscopy investigation and chest X-ray examination. Three hundred ninety-five HCWs were enrolled; 49 (12%) tested positive for LTBI. The mean age of the HCWs was 33.4 ± 9.25 with a female predominance (51.1%). According to the univariate analysis, LTBI was significantly higher among HCWs with the following: age groups ≥ 30 years, alcohol intake, ≥ 11 years of employment, high risk stratification workplaces, and medical doctors. In the multivariate analysis, the age group of 30–39 years (OR = 0.288, 95% CI: 0.105–0.794, p value = 0.016) was the only risk factor associated with LTBI. Further medical investigations did not reveal active TB cases among HCWs with LTBI. With regards to prophylactic treatment, 31 (63.3%) LTBI HCWs accepted the treatment, whereas 18 (36.7%) declined the chemoprophylaxis. Of these 31 HCWs on chemoprophylaxis, 12 (38.7%) received isoniazid (INH) for six months, 17 (54.8%) received INH in combination with rifampicin (RMP) for three months, and two (6.5%) received alternative therapy because of anti-TB drug intolerance. In conclusions, although Iraq is a relatively high TB burden country, the prevalence of LTBI among Duhok HCWs is relatively low. It is important to screen HCWs in Duhok for LTBI, particularly medical doctors, young adults, alcoholics, and those whom had a long duration of employment in high-risk workplaces. The acceptance rate of HCWs with LTBI to chemoprophylaxis was low. Therefore, ensuring medical efforts to educate the healthcare staff particularly, non-professionals are a priority to encourage chemoprophylaxis acceptance.
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Apriani L, McAllister S, Sharples K, Alisjahbana B, Ruslami R, Hill PC, Menzies D. Latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries: an updated systematic review. Eur Respir J 2019; 53:13993003.01789-2018. [PMID: 30792341 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01789-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) and TB disease.We conducted an updated systematic review of the prevalence and incidence of LTBI in HCWs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), associated factors, and infection control practices. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science (January 1, 2005-June 20, 2017) for studies published in any language. We obtained pooled estimates using random effects methods and investigated heterogeneity using meta-regression.85 studies (32 630 subjects) were included from 26 LMICs. Prevalence of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) was 14-98% (mean 49%); prevalence of a positive interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) was 9-86% (mean 39%). Countries with TB incidence ≥300 per 100 000 had the highest prevalence (TST: pooled estimate 55%, 95% CI 41-69%; IGRA: pooled estimate 56%, 95% CI 39-73%). Annual incidence estimated from the TST was 1-38% (mean 17%); annual incidence estimated from the IGRA was 10-30% (mean 18%). The prevalence and incidence of a positive test was associated with years of work, work location, TB contact and job category. Only 15 studies reported on infection control measures in healthcare facilities, with limited implementation.HCWs in LMICs in high TB incidence settings remain at increased risk of acquiring LTBI. There is an urgent need for robust implementation of infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lika Apriani
- TB-HIV Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia .,Dept of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.,Centre for International Health, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Susan McAllister
- Centre for International Health, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Katrina Sharples
- Centre for International Health, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Dept of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bachti Alisjahbana
- TB-HIV Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.,Dept of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Rovina Ruslami
- TB-HIV Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.,Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Philip C Hill
- Centre for International Health, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Dick Menzies
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Doan TN, Eisen DP, Rose MT, Slack A, Stearnes G, McBryde ES. Interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection: A latent-class analysis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188631. [PMID: 29182688 PMCID: PMC5705142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is essential for TB elimination. However, the absence of a gold standard test for diagnosing LTBI makes assessment of the true prevalence of LTBI and the accuracy of diagnostic tests challenging. Bayesian latent class models can be used to make inferences about disease prevalence and the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests using data on the concordance between tests. We performed the largest meta-analysis to date aiming to evaluate the performance of tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) for LTBI diagnosis in various patient populations using Bayesian latent class modelling. METHODS Systematic search of PubMeb, Embase and African Index Medicus was conducted without date and language restrictions on September 11, 2017 to identify studies that compared the performance of TST and IGRAs for LTBI diagnosis. Two IGRA methods were considered: QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT) and T-SPOT.TB. Studies were included if they reported 2x2 agreement data between TST and QFT-GIT or T-SPOT.TB. A Bayesian latent class model was developed to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of TST and IGRAs in various populations, including immune-competent adults, immune-compromised adults and children. A TST cut-off value of 10 mm was used for immune-competent subjects and 5 mm for immune-compromised individuals. FINDINGS A total of 157 studies were included in the analysis. In immune-competent adults, the sensitivity of TST and QFT-GIT were estimated to be 84% (95% credible interval [CrI] 82-85%) and 52% (50-53%), respectively. The specificity of QFT-GIT was 97% (96-97%) in non-BCG-vaccinated and 93% (92-94%) in BCG-vaccinated immune-competent adults. The estimated figures for TST were 100% (99-100%) and 79% (76-82%), respectively. T-SPOT.TB has comparable specificity (97% for both tests) and better sensitivity (68% versus 52%) than QFT-GIT in immune-competent adults. In immune-compromised adults, both TST and QFT-GIT display low sensitivity but high specificity. QFT-GIT and TST are equally specific (98% for both tests) in non-BCG-vaccinated children; however, QFT-GIT is more specific than TST (98% versus 82%) in BCG-vaccinated group. TST is more sensitive than QFT-GIT (82% versus 73%) in children. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to assess the utility of TST and IGRAs for LTBI diagnosis in different population groups using all available data with Bayesian latent class modelling. Our results challenge the current beliefs about the performance of LTBI screening tests, and have important implications for LTBI screening policy and practice. We estimated that the performance of IGRAs is not as reliable as previously measured in the general population. However, IGRAs are not or minimally affected by BCG and should be the preferred tests in this setting. Adoption of IGRAs in settings where BCG is widely administered will allow for a more accurate identification and treatment of LTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan N. Doan
- Department of Medicine at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Damon P. Eisen
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Morgan T. Rose
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Slack
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Grace Stearnes
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emma S. McBryde
- Department of Medicine at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Nasehi M, Hashemi-Shahraki A, Doosti-Irani A, Sharafi S, Mostafavi E. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among tuberculosis laboratory workers in Iran. Epidemiol Health 2016; 39:e2017002. [PMID: 28092930 PMCID: PMC5343107 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2017002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The risk of transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients to health care workers (HCWs) is a neglected problem in many countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) among TB laboratory staff in Iran, and to elucidate the risk factors associated with LTBI. METHODS All TB laboratory staff (689 individuals) employed in the TB laboratories of 50 Iranian universities of medical sciences and a random sample consisting of 317 low-risk HCWs were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants with tuberculin skin test indurations of 10 mm or more were considered to have an LTBI. RESULTS The prevalence of LTBI among TB laboratory staff and low-risk HCWs was 24.83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.31 to 27.74%) and 14.82% (95% CI, 11.31 to 19.20%), respectively. No active TB cases were found in either group. After adjusting for potential confounders, TB laboratory staff were more likely to have an LTBI than low-risk HCWs (prevalence odds ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.35 to 3.17). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that LTBI are an occupational health problem among TB laboratory staff in Iran. This study reinforces the need to design and implement simple, effective, and affordable TB infection control programs in TB laboratories in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Nasehi
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolrazagh Hashemi-Shahraki
- Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Doosti-Irani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Sharafi
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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