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Background: The occurrence of tuberculosis (TB) in prisoners is higher than in the general population. Objective: To determine the incidence of Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in newly incarcerated persons in southern Thailand. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2020 in all new inmates aged 15 years or older. Within two weeks of imprisonment, chest radiography and the two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) were performed. Participants with a negative TST underwent a repeat one-step TST at six months. A positive TST at six months without evidence of TB indicated new LTBI. Results: Six hundred two male inmates were enrolled. Fifty-one prisoners (8.5%) were excluded due to a history of previous incarceration for 4.1%, history of TB for 0.8%, household contact with TB cases for 2.1%, and refusal to participate for 1.3%. The remaining 551 inmates participated in the study. The average age was 31.1 years. The two-step TST was completed in 507 inmates (92.0%). Two hundred thirteen out of 551 participants (38.7%) initially tested positive. Follow-up was conducted on 290 participants. Only 53 participants (9.6%) completed the study protocol at six months due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Tuberculin conversion was found in five inmates (9.4%). Conclusion: LTBI prevalence and incidence rates among Thai inmates are high. Individuals with negative LTBI test at initial imprisonment were at high risk of acquiring infection and should be followed to detect conversion and offered LTBI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmania siamensis is newly described as the causative pathogen of autochthonous leishmaniasis in Thailand. Potential vectors and animal reservoirs of L. siamensis are not thoroughly studied. An environmental survey was carried out in the affected area in two provinces in southern Thailand: Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Ninety-nine villagers, 378 sandflies, and potential animal reservoirs were examined. Leishmania DNA amplicon was identified in two species of female sandflies, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) and Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) barraudi. The DNA amplicon was also identified in black rats (Rattus rattus). A phylogenetic tree of confirmed patients, sandflies and black rats fell into a single clade and separate from other Leishmania species. This study showed the potential involvement of R. rattus and Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus and Parrotomyia) sandflies in transmission of L. siamensis.

Objective: To study the factors influencing delayed pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation among hospitalized patients in Songklanagarind Hospital., Material and Method: A prospective study examining the microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were admitted in the hospital. The data collected included demographic data, HIV status, initial symptoms, and chest radiographs., Results: Sixty inpatients were identified. Forty-five percent and 30% of patients were admitted. There was delay in suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis and delay in isolation in 18 (30%) and 24 (40%) patients, respectively. There was no statistical significance among delayed and non-delayed groups of pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation., Conclusion: The pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation should concern patients for whom TB is an etiologic implication.

Objective: To determine epidemiology, microbiology, outcome, and factor influencing mortality in nosocomial bloodstream infection in Songklanagarind Hospital., Material and Method: Retrospective study in adult patients who were hospitalized at Songklanagarind Hospital with positive blood culture after 48 hours of admission was conducted. The present study duration was between 1 August and 30 November 2008., Results: There were 138 episodes of nosocomial blood stream infection in 117 patients, the prevalence of 11.6/1,000 admissions. The mean age of patients was 54.8 years (range 12 to 88 years) and males comprised of 60.9%. Hematologic malignancy was the most common underlying condition of the patients (27.5%) while 30.4% of patients had no underlying disease. The three common primary infections were lower respiratory tract (13.9%), urinary tract (12.4%) and skin and soft tissue (6.5%), whereas the unknown site of infection had accounted for 80 episodes (62.0%). The leading pathogens of nosocomial bacteremia were E. coli 17.4%, S. aureus 15.2%, K. pneumoniae 12.3% and P. aeruginosa 10.3%. Vanocomycin was dominantly sensitive to gram positive cocci, while about half (52.4%) of S. aureus had methicillin resistance. The variety of resistance had encountered for example P. aeruginosa (7.1%) to imipenem and majority of A. baumannii to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. Overall mortality was 28.3% but mortality due directly to bacteremia was 13.8%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed liver cirrhosis and lower respiratory tract infection to be associated with increased mortality., Conclusion: The prevalence of nosocomial blood stream infection had slightly sideway down, while the mortality was stable, compared with several reports in the last two decades. The gram negative bacteria had a high proportion of antibiotic resistance.