Volume 8, Number 11—November 2002
THEME ISSUE
Tuberculosis Genotyping
Tuberculosis Genotyping Network, United States
Cross-Jurisdictional Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Maryland and Washington, D.C., 1996–2000, Linked to the Homeless
Monica Lathan*†, Leonard Ntaate Mukasa*, Nancy Hooper*, Jonathan Golub*, Nancy Baruch*, Donna Mulcahy‡, William Benjamin§, and Wendy A. Cronin*
Table
Selected characteristics among homeless and nonhomeless clustered tuberculosis case-patients, Maryland and Washington, D.C.a,b
| Characteristics | Homeless No. (%) | Non-homeless No. (%) | p valuec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | |||
| Male | 13 (92.8) | 4 (44.4) | 0.02 |
| Female | 1(7.2) | 5 (55.6) | |
| Median age in years (range) | 42 (27–57) | 40 (23–61) | 0.97 |
| Substance abuse (IV or non-IV) | |||
| Yes | 5 (35.7) | 0 (0.0) | |
| No | 9 (64.3) | 9 (100.0) | 0.11 |
| Alcohol abuse | |||
| Yes | 9 (64.3) | 3 (33.3) | 0.21 |
| No | 5 (35.7) | 6(66.7) | |
| HIV status | |||
| Positive | 8 (57.1) | 1 (11.1) | 0.16 |
| Negative | 6 (42.9) | 6 (66.7) | |
| Unknown | 0 (0.0) | 2 (22.2) | |
| Smear for AFB | |||
| Positive | 14 (100.0) | 6 (66.7)3 | 0.05 |
| Negative | 0 (0.0) | (33.3) | |
| Pulmonary cavities | |||
| Present | 7 (50.0) | 5 (55.6) | 1.00 |
| Absent | 7 (50.0) | 4 (44.4) | |
| Mental illness | |||
| Yes | 4 (28.6) | 1 (11.1) | 0.61 |
| No | 10 (71.4) | 8 (88.9) | |
| Died | |||
| Yes | 4 (28.6) | 1 (11.1) | 0.61 |
| No | 10 (71.4) | 8 (88.9) | |
aNA, not applicable; AFB, acid-fast bacilli.
bWashington, D.C., cases were preselected on the basis of a homeless history except for case in the nurse.
cFisher exact tests were used to compare demographic and clinical characteristics between the homeless and nonhomeless groups.
Page created: July 19, 2010
Page updated: July 19, 2010
Page reviewed: July 19, 2010
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.