title: Assessing the Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis among Health Care Providers in Zagazig City, Egypt Using Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will prevent development of active TB among health care providers. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of LTBI among health care providers and compare the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test (QFT-GIT) and Tuberculin skin test in efforts to detect LTBI and to investigate possible associated risk factors of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was carried out during the period of 6 months in the Chest Hospital in Zagazig city and the Nephrology Unit at Zagazig University Hospitals in 132 randomly selected health care providers who were examined for LTBI by QFT-GIT and Tuberculin skin test and for the associated risk factors as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of LTBI identified by QFT-GIT and by Tuberculin skin test was 28.8% and 59.1%, respectively. Poor agreement was observed between the two tests (kappa=0.10). Working more than 10 years, being nurse, diabetic and smoker were risk factors significantly associated with LTBI (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QFT-GIT is considered a useful tool in detecting LTBI cases, especially in a country where BCG vaccination is a national policy (as in Egypt). Duration of work, profession, diabetes and smoking are the risk factors for LTBI. Active surveillance and infection control measures are recommended to reduce the risk of LTBI.
authors: Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Rehab H
authors: RH
authors: El-Sokkary
authors: Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Ashwak M
authors: AM
authors: Abu-Taleb
authors: Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Omnia S
authors: OS
authors: El-Seifi
authors: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Haidy E
authors: HE
authors: Zidan
authors: Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Eman M
authors: EM
authors: Mortada
authors: Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Dalia
authors: D
authors: El-Hossary
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors: Salama E
authors: SE
authors: Farag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000379:methods*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: QuantiFERON; Tuberculin skin test; health care providers; prevalence; tuberculosis