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

Background: In Gabon, the epidemic of pulmonary
tuberculosis (TB) in prisons is poorly documented. There
is no official data, even though these environments meet
the perfect conditions for transmission of the disease:
overcrowding, close and prolonged contact, and the
inexistence of a policy of screening/medical check-up of
inmates upon their admission to prison. The objective of

this study was to conduct a prospective and cross-
sectional study to assess the prevalence of pulmonary

tuberculosis in the prison environment of Yéné, the
central prison of Franceville, capital of the Haut-Ogooué
province.
Methods: A preliminary clinical survey of inmates
identified a cohort of 100 individuals suspected of having
TB based on clinical symptoms. Subsequently, from June
9 to 13, 2022, we collected sputum samples from inmates
suspected of having TB. These samples were analyzed by
the molecular biology technique GeneXpert MTB/RIF.Conclusion: In Yéné prison, the non-existence of
diagnostic tests for TB to newly incarcerated inmates
puts other inmates as well as prison officers at risk for
TB infection.