The association between exposure to air pollutants and latent tuberculosis infection prevalence in the elderly population: a population-based cross-sectional study from China
Background: Globally, research on the direct correlation between air pollutants and latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) is still relatively scarce. We aimed to conduct a cross-sectional study of LTBI across regions with varying air quality to assess whether air pollution affects the burden of TB infection. Methods: ), sulphur dioxide, and ozone across various time periods by integrating satellite remote sensing data with ground-based monitoring data. We used logistic regression and weighted pollution models to assess the relationship between air pollutants and the prevalence of LTBI. Results: and the prevalence of LTBI was more pronounced in populations with a household per capita income < 5000 RMB, daily ventilation time < 0.5 hours, and the use of non-renewable energy for cooking (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The research indicates that prolonged exposure to air pollutants substantially elevates the odds of LTBI in Chinese cities, exhibiting regional disparities. This underscores the significance of managing air pollution to prevent and control TB.
Authors
- Xuesong Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7766-4241)
- L. Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6411-6107)
- Xiaoyan Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5357-6781)
- Qian Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6379-4205)
- Shuping Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6433-8412)
- Jianguo Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2563-3384)
- Shan Cao
- Hong Geng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0280-3988)
- Yuan He
- Jing Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3147-4148)
- Yaqi Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7693-5248)
- Henan Xin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5008-0412)
- Xiankun Fan
- Taifeng Li
- Lei Gao
- Zhonghui Zhao
- Jiang Du
- Zihan Li
- Jin Jin
- Li Wang
- Boxuan Feng
- Xiaoguo Zhang
- Aihua Zhu
- Xuefang Cao
- Yunfeng Deng
- Yong Sang
- Zhongfa Zhang
Institutions
- Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- National Health and Family Planning Commission (CN)
- Center for Tuberculosis Control of Guangdong Province (CN)
- Heilongjiang Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention (CN)
- Liaocheng People's Hospital (CN)
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Global Health
- Published
- 2026-04-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.16.04116
- Primary Topic
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00