title: Positive tuberculin test and risk of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tuberculosis clinic settled in an upright building, in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational Tuberculosis (TB) can lead to work absenteeism and a negative professional impact. Knowing the reactivity of the tuberculin test and the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals is essential for the revision and reinforcement of control measures against TB transmission.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the reactivity of tuberculin test and risk of M. tuberculosis infection among healthcare professionals working in an upright building, in which a TB Reference Clinic is placed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) was done to 251 staff members of a TB clinic that did not have a previous history or suspicion of TB and that did not have a previous TST done. Among subjects with absence of reaction, repeated tests were carried out to assess booster reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty one percent of studied subjects (129) had a positive tuberculin test. The booster phenomenon was evidenced in 35.7% (68/190). The seroconversion among non-reactive subjects, subjected to a new TST after one year, was 5.1%. The infection risk was 1.4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates an important occupational risk of infection in healthcare settings exposed to high TB incidence, and should be used to better allocate resources for infection control.
authors.affiliation: Tuberculosis Clinic of the Hospital of Clinics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. silvanaspindola@gmail.com
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spíndola De Miranda
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campos De Oliveira
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xavier Santos
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pereira Prado
authors.forename: Cláudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leão Soares
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos Nery
authors.forename: Henriquez
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cunha Vieira
authors.forename: Wânia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Da Silva Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult