Rate of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Detected by Occupational Health Screening of Nurses New to a London Teaching Hospital

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 581-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Khanna ◽  
Vladyslav Nikolayevskyy ◽  
Fiona Warburton ◽  
Elek Dobson ◽  
Francis Drobniewski
Keyword(s):  
Tuberculin Skin Test ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Release Assay ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Tuberculosis Prevalence

The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of nurses new to a London hospital was 7.6% (13 of 171), using an interferon-γ(IFN-γ) release assay, and 16.2% (24 of 148), using the tuberculin skin test. On multivariate analysis, birth in a country with tuberculosis prevalence of more than 40 cases per 100,000 population was associated with positive results of both the IFN-γ release assay and the tuberculin skin test.

Utility of an Interferon-γ Release Assay for Latent Tuberculosis Diagnosis in a Case of Bullous Pemphigoid

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 280-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Goodfellow ◽  
Douglas N. Keeling ◽  
Robert C. Hayes ◽  
Duncan Webster
Keyword(s):  
Tuberculin Skin Test ◽  
Bullous Pemphigoid ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Cutaneous Disease ◽  
Release Assay

Background: With increasing use of immunosuppressive therapy, including tumor necrosis factor a inhibitors, there is concern about infectious complications, including reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Routine testing prior to administration of systemic immunosuppression includes the tuberculin skin test, which lacks sensitivity and specificity and may be difficult to interpret in the presence of extensive cutaneous disease. Treatment of individuals with latent tuberculosis infection is recommended when immunosuppressive medications are to be employed. Observations: We report a case in which a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in a patient with extensive bullous pemphigoid was clarified by the use of an interferon-γ release assay after equivocal tuberculin skin test results. Conclusion: Interferon-γ release assays are useful adjuncts to the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in the setting of extensive cutaneous disease.

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