Job-related risk of latent tuberculosis infection in a homogeneous population of hospital workers in a low incidence area.
BACKGROUND
Few comprehensive tuberculin surveys were carried out in a homogeneous population of health care workers (HCWs) in a low incidence area to assess the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection by different occupational groups and units.


METHODS
Community and occupational factors and tuberculin skin test (TST) reactivity were determined in 1,755 HCWs.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of tuberculin reactivity was 6%. Predicting factors for TST reactivity were age >47 years (OR = 2.88), history of household TB contact (OR = 2.41), years of work as HCW (OR = 2.57), physician (OR = 1.88), and working in microbiology (OR = 4.94), dialysis/nephrology (OR = 2.00), gynecology/obstetrics (OR = 2.01). In a multiple regression model working in microbiology [OR = 4.16 (1.27-13.6)], dialysis/nephrology [OR = 2.52 (1.36-4.65)], gynecology/obstetrics [OR = 2.46 (1.24-4.86)] and age >47 years [OR = 1.98 (1.14-3.46)] were significant predictors for infection.


CONCLUSIONS
A higher risk of latent infection can be demonstrated in well-defined groups of HCWs.
Franchi
Alberto
A
Occupational Safety and Health Unit, Azienda USL-Bologna Sud, Bologna, Italy. a.franchi@ausl.bologna.it
Diana
Ornella
O
Franco
Giuliano
G
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*