Resumen:
Background: The majority of tuberculosis transmission occurs in community settings. The primary aim of this study was to assess the association between exposure to community venues and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) disease. The secondary aim was to describe the social networks of MDR-TB cases and controls. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Lima, Peru. We recruited lab-confirmed MDR-TB cases and community controls matched on age and sex. Whole-genome sequencing was used to identify genetically-clustered cases. Venue-tracing interviews (nonblinded) were conducted to enumerate community venues frequented by participants. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between MDR-TB disease and person-time spent in community venues. A location-based social network was constructed with respondents connected if they reported frequenting the same venue and an exponential random graph model (ERGM) was fitted to model the network. Results: We enrolled 59 cases and 65 controls. Participants reported 729 unique venues. Mean number of venues reported was similar in both groups (P=0.92). Cases reported spending more person-time (hours) in healthcare and transportation venues than controls (P<0.05). Person-time in healthcare venues (Adjusted Odds Ratio (OR)=1.67, P=0.01), schools (OR=1.53, P<0.01), and transportation (OR=1.25, P=0.03) was associated with MDR-TB disease. Healthcare venues, markets, cinemas, and transportation venues were commonly shared among clustered cases. The ERGM indicated significant community segregation between cases and controls. Case networks were more densely connected. Conclusions: Exposure to healthcare venues, schools and transportation was associated with MDR-TB disease. Intervention across the segregated network of case venues may be necessary to effectively stem transmission.