Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Tuberculosis Progression in Healthy patients

Abstract

Low vitamin D levels are associated with a 5-fold increased risk for tuberculosis (TB) disease progression in previously healthy household contacts of patients with TB, according to the results of a 4-year cohort follow-up study in Pakistan, reported in the May issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. During 2001 to 2004, the researchers studied 109 healthy people in close contact with 20 different patients with TB and found that those with low vitamin D levels, especially women, were 5 times more likely to contract TB. Cohort participants were in "household contact" with patients recently diagnosed with sputum-positive pulmonary TB. The researchers collected blood samples at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months' follow-up. JMS 2010;13(1):35-36