Molecular Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Prisons: Case of the Central Prison of Franceville

Background: In Gabon, the epidemic of pulmonary<br> tuberculosis (TB) in prisons is poorly documented. There<br> is no official data, even though these environments meet<br> the perfect conditions for transmission of the disease:<br> overcrowding, close and prolonged contact, and the<br> inexistence of a policy of screening/medical check-up of<br> inmates upon their admission to prison. The objective of this study was to conduct a prospective and cross-<br> sectional study to assess the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in the prison environment of Yéné, the<br> central prison of Franceville, capital of the Haut-Ogooué<br> province.<br> Methods: A preliminary clinical survey of inmates<br> identified a cohort of 100 individuals suspected of having<br> TB based on clinical symptoms. Subsequently, from June<br> 9 to 13, 2022, we collected sputum samples from inmates<br> suspected of having TB. These samples were analyzed by<br> the molecular biology technique GeneXpert MTB/RIF.Conclusion: In Yéné prison, the non-existence of<br> diagnostic tests for TB to newly incarcerated inmates<br> puts other inmates as well as prison officers at risk for<br> TB infection.