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BMC Infectious Diseases
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Risk of latent TB infection in individuals employed in the healthcare sector in Germany: a multicentre prevalence study

Authors: Anja Schablon, Melanie Harling, Roland Diel, Albert Nienhaus

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Healthcare workers are still recognised as a high-risk group for latent TB infection (LTBI). Therefore, the screening of people employed in the healthcare sector for active and LTBI is fundamental to infection control programmes in German hospitals. It was the aim of the study to determine the prevalence and putative risk factors of LTBI.

Methods

We tested 2028 employees in the healthcare sector with the QuantiFERON-Gold In-tube (QFT-IT) test between December 2005 and May 2009, either in the course of contact tracing or in serial testing of TB high-risk groups following German OSH legislation.

Results

A positive IGRA was found in 9.9% of the healthcare workers (HCWs). Nurses and physicians showed similar prevalence rates (9.7% to 9.6%). Analysed by occupational group, the highest prevalence was found in administration staff and ancillary nursing staff (17.4% and 16.7%). None of the individuals in the trainee group showed a positive IGRA result. In the different workplaces the observed prevalence was 14.7% in administration, 12.0% in geriatric care, 14.2% in technicians (radiology, laboratory and pathology), 6.5% in admission ward staff and 8.3% in the staff of pulmonary/infectious disease wards. Putative risk factors for LTBI were age (>55 years: OR14.7, 95% CI 5.1-42.1), being foreign-born (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.4-2.8), TB in the individual's own history (OR 4.96, 95% CI 1.99-12.3) and previous positive TST results (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.4-4.98). We observed no statistically significant association with gender, BCG vaccination, workplace or profession.

Conclusion

The prevalence of LTBI in low-incidence countries depends on age. We found no positive IGRA results among trainees in the healthcare sector. Incidence studies are needed to assess the infection risk. Pre-employment screening might be helpful in this endeavour.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Risk of latent TB infection in individuals employed in the healthcare sector in Germany: a multicentre prevalence study
Authors
Anja Schablon
Melanie Harling
Roland Diel
Albert Nienhaus
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-10-107

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