Crack cocaine and infectious tuberculosis

Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Sep;14(9):1466-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1409.070654.

Abstract

We hypothesize that crack cocaine is independently associated with smear-positive tuberculosis (TB). In a case-control study of TB in London, 19 (86%) of 22 crack cocaine users with pulmonary TB were smear positive compared with 302 (36%) of 833 non-drug users. Respiratory damage caused by crack cocaine may predispose drug users to infectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Crack Cocaine*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • London / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Tuberculosis / epidemiology*
  • Tuberculosis / etiology*

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine