title: Tuberculin reactivity among health care workers at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Tuberculosis is both a nosocomial and an occupational infection. The prevalence of positive tuberculin skin reactions at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, was investigated by testing 298 health care workers. Conventional tuberculin skin testing was performed using 0.1 mL of purified protein derivative injected intracutaneously. After 48-72 hours, induration size was recorded. The prevalence of positive tests (induration > or = 10 mm) was 78.9% overall, 60.0% for Saudi Arabians compared with 81.8% for non-Saudi Arabians (P < 0.01). The mean response size (8.9 +/- 7 mm) for Saudis was also significantly lower than for non-Saudis (13.9 +/- 7 mm, P < 0.001). To enhance the protection of both health care workers and hospitalized patients, effective preventive measures and annual tuberculin testing of health care workers should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Koshak
authors.forename: R Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Tawfeeq
mesh_terms: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014373:Tuberculin; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000379:methods; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D014373:Tuberculin