Latent tuberculosis in nursing professionals of a Brazilian hospital

Tuberculosis (TB) is considered an occupational disease among health-care workers (HCWs). Direct contact with TB patients leads to an increased risk to become latently infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of latent infection by M. tuberculosis among nursing professionals of a hospital from Rio Grande do Sul, assessed by tuberculin skin test (TST).

From November 2009 to May 2010, latent infection by M. tuberculosis was assessed by the TST in 55 nursing professionals.

Epidemiological information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. A positive TST result (>or =10 mm) was observed in 47.3% of the HCWs tested.

There was no significant difference in TST positivity when duration of employment or professional category (technician or nurse) was evaluated. The results of this work reinforce the need of control measures to prevent latent infection by M.

tuberculosis among nursing professionals at the hospital where the study was conducted.

Author: Karen Gisele Person SeveroJulia da Silva OliveiraMarcelo CarneiroAndreia Rosane de Moura ValimEliane Carlosso KrummenauerLia Goncalves Possuelo
Credits/Source: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2011, 6:15

Published on: 2011-05-17

Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.

Comments Page 0 of 0

There are currently 0 comments to display.

+ Add New Comment

Custom Search