Tuberculosis prevalence in renal transplant recipients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence in subjects with kidney transplantation (KTX) is greater than in general population. We aimed to realize a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of TB in KTX (TB-KTX).
Methods: We searched by the texts in electronic databases and references were reviewed. We estimated the pooled prevalence of TB-KTX subjects and we also conducted analysis by meta-regression. TB prevalence in general population (0.18%; 95% IC = 0.16-0.20) was reference to comparison.
Results: We screened 253 papers, which 41 studies entered in analysis. The pooled prevalence of TB-KTX was 2.51% (95% CI = 2.17-2.85). In the meta-regression sample size > 2.501 subjects and high prevalence of TB in general population remained associated with TB-KTX.
Conclusion: TB prevalence in KTX was 14 times greater than in general population. Thus, we highlighted the necessity that planning of measures for prevention and control of TB for this population should be agenda in discussions of health sector.