[The present situation of measures against tuberculosis in hemodialysis facilities in Chiba Prefecture].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the current situation of tuberculosis and its control measures in hemodialysis facilities in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.


METHODS
Questionnaires on medical dialysis and tuberculosis were sent to hemodialysis facilities in Chiba Prefecture.


RESULTS
The questionnaires were answered by 55 of 127 facilities. Of the respondents, 46 (83.6%) were not aware of the recommendation of treatment for latent tuberculosis infections in Japanese patients. Moreover, 30 (54.5%) facilities did not examine patients for tuberculosis prior to the initiation of hemodialysis. Of the 21 facilities that did assess patients for tuberculosis infection, only 5 (23.8%) performed a tuberculin skin test or QuantiFERON TB-2G. Three of the five (60.0%) that were treating tuberculosis by themselves expressed fear or uncertainty about the diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infections. During January 2006 through December 2007, tuberculosis patients were detected in 11 facilities, and the proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among these patients was 52.4%. Seven facilities reported that they took no control measures against tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to inform medical dialysis facilities about latent tuberculosis infections, the early diagnosis of tuberculosis, and the combination of nosocomial infection control. It is also important for experts in hemodialysis and tuberculosis to work closely together.
Kawasaki
Takeshi
T
Department of Thoracic Disease, National Hospital Organization Chiba-East National Hospital, Japan. kawatake1978@yahoo.co.jp
Sasaki
Yuka
Y
Nishimura
Hiroki
H
Fujikawa
Ayako
A
Mizuno
Satoko
S
Shimura
Ryuhi
R
Yamagishi
Fumio
F
D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*