High Latent Tuberculosis Infection Test Conversion Rates among Healthcare Workers in the Country of Georgia Open Access
Whitaker, Jennifer Anne (2012)
Published
Abstract
Background: There are very limited data on serial testing
of healthcare workers (HCWs)
with interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) for latent
tuberculosis infection (LTBI).
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk
factors for LTBI
among Georgian HCWs using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and
QuantiFERON-TB Gold
In-tube assay (QFT), in addition to determining the rates and risk
factors for TST and
QFT conversions (change from a negative to positive test
result).
Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted among
Georgian HCWs.
Results: Among 319 HCWs enrolled, 259 (81%) were female; mean
age was 41 years;
285 (89%) reported prior BCG vaccination; 194 (60%) worked in
healthcare facilities
specializing in TB. HCWs from TB facilities had higher QFT and TST
positivity rates
than those from non-TB facilities: 107/194 (55%) vs. 30/125 (31%)
QFT positive
(p<0.0001) and 128/189 (69%) vs. 64/119 (54%) TST positive
(p=0.01). There was fair
agreement between the TST and QFT diagnostic tests (70%,
kappa=0.42, 95% CI 0.31-
0.52). In multivariate analysis, frequent contact with TB patients
was associated with
increased risk of a positive QFT (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.79-5.14) but
not with positive TST
(OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.76-2.18). Age in years was associated with
increased risk of positive
QFT (OR 1.05 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.09) and TST (OR 1.05, 95% CI
1.01-1.10). High
rates of HCW conversion were seen (QFT conversion rate: 22.8/100
person-years and
TST conversion rate: 17.1/100 person-years). TST conversion was
associated with
working in a TB facility (p=0.04), whereas QFT conversion was not
(p=0.43). In
multivariate analysis, female gender was associated with decreased
risk of TST
conversion (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.43) and age in years was
associated with increased
risk of QFT conversion (1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.13).
Conclusion: A high prevalence of LTBI was seen among Georgian
HCWs, especially
those working at TB facilities. Frequent patient contact was
associated with increased
risk of LTBI when using QFT. High conversion rates were found among
Georgian
HCWs, particularly at TB facilities. These data highlight the need
for effective TB
infection control measures.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction…………………………………………………………………..
1-2
Background…………………………………………………………………...
2-8
Methods………………………………………………………………………
8-16
Results………………………………………………………………………..
16-24
Discussion…………………………………………………………………….
24-31
References……………………………………………………………………
32-35
Figures………………………………………………………………………..
36-38
Tables………………………………………………………………………....39-49
Appendix……………………………………………………………………..
50
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