Screening of latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers working in Hajj pilgrimage area in Saudi Arabia, using interferon gamma release assay and tuberculin skin test (original) (raw)
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Cureus
Background and objective Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health issue, often preceded by a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in individuals. Significant global and local efforts have recently been directed toward this infection, focusing on TB control and eradication. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of LTBI among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by evaluating its prevalence and associated risk factors. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at the King Abdullah Hospital (KAH), from January to August 2018, by using two surveys: the first one involved data related to HCW demographics and the tuberculin skin test (TST) readings, and the second involved a questionnaire that assessed LTBI risk factors. Results Out of the total 561 HCWs who participated in the study, 66 had an induration reading of more than 10 mm in TST. Many factors were associated with LTBI cases, but multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, and nationality were statistically significant risk factors. Conclusion Given the nature of their work, HCWs are at a greater risk of TB and LTBI. At the same time, HCWs are uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in halting the spread of TB. Gaps in preventive measures may result in the increased spread of TB. Our study assessed risk factors associated with the increased risk of LTBI and proposed possible ways of addressing them.
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection represents a global health problem and a great risk to Health Ca~'e Workers (HCWs). Identifying individuals, particularly HCWs with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will support TB control through chemoprophylaxis and prevent crossinfection. Objectives: This study aimed to identify prevalence of Latent TB among a two-year new hires of HCWs in 4 major tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: 2650 recently (2-years) hired HCWs were surveyed for latent TB using Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Data was collected from January 2008 to December 2009. Induration due to TST equal to or more than 10 mm. within 48-72 hours was considered positive. The results of TST were correlated with other variables such as age group, gender, job category, country of origin. Results: as an overall rate, 291(11%) out of 2650 were positive for TST, with the highest significant positive rates among physicians (14.9%) and nurses (12.9%) compared to students as a reference group.
Latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers at a community hospital in Qatar
Journal of Infection and Public Health, 2014
Routine screening of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is recommended as an essential component in the prevention of TB transmission in healthcare facilities. Objective: To determine the prevalence of LTBI among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a community hospital. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out at The Cuban Hospital from August 2012 to May 2013 for newly hired medical staff. As part of the preemployment evaluation, the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-G) were performed. The information regarding the demographics, profile, experience as HCWs, any previous contact with TB patients and travels abroad were collected. Analysis: Test of independence, Student's t test and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney were used. For hypothesis testing, a significance level of 0.05 was adopted. Results: TST results were positive in 14 subjects (6.9%), of which 11 were nurses, and 12 were females. QFT-G results were positive in six subjects (3.0%), who were older than those with negative results (44.5 vs. 38.9 years) and had more experience as HCW (21.7 vs. 16.8 years). Compared with subjects negative for QFT-G, positive subjects reported a higher frequency of both direct contact with tuberculosis patients (83.3% vs. 25%) and previous travels to countries with high TB incidence. Conclusion: Incidence of LTBI was low, especially when QFT-G results were considered, highlighting the history of traveling to countries with high TB incidence as an associated key factor.
Epidemiology of tuberculosis among different occupational groups in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia
Scientific Reports
Each year in Saudi Arabia, the Hajj season represents one of the world’s most significant annual mass gatherings, attracting high proportion of immigrants from different parts of the world in small crowded areas, posing a risk for Tuberculosis (TB) transmission. There is a high potential for TB contact and infection in the workplace as it is transmitted through the air. Most of the studies in Saudi Arabia assessed the TB infection among health care workers. However, the TB incidence rate among other variant occupational groups was not yet determined. This study was conducted to assess the incidence rate of tuberculosis, and determine the risk factors of TB infection among different occupational groups in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia 2016. A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the secondary data of the patients registered in the Saudi national tuberculosis control and prevention program in 2016. Data were then organized and analyzed for age, gender, nationality, educati...
Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2019
Background and Objective: Healthcare and laboratory workers in hospitals have a higher exposure to hospitalacquired infections (HAIs) than the general populations. Tuberculosis (TB) infection is a common HAI that is communicated from the patients with TB admitted or hospitalized in the healthcare centres. This study aims to determinate the incidence and prevalence of latent TB infection among healthcare workers in the major Hospitals in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, Iran. Methods: This is a case-control study conducted on healthcare workers diagnosed with TB between January 2010 to December 2017. The study population consisted of healthcare workers of the three major hospitals of Ahvaz, Khuzestan including Imam Khomeini Hospital, Golestan Hospital and Shafa Hospital. All subjects underwent Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) and after 48 to 72 hours the reaction was measured as the length of induration. The induration equal to or greater than 10 mm was considered as positive TB. Moreover, the subjects and controls were asked to complete a selfadministered questionnaire on potential risk factors for TB. Results: Among 513 subjects, male and female subjects were respectively 186 and 327. Of all subjects, 67 subjects (male: 42; female: 25) showed positive TST (10 mm ≤ induration) and 275 subjects showed 5 mm >induration. There was a significant relationship between TST result and the workplace of the subjects. Gender showed no significant relationship with the TST result. Conclusion: All healthcare workers who are in direct contact with TB patients must undergo regular TB screening test and the workers should be trained for self-conducting TST.
High risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection during the Hajj pilgrimage
Tropical Medicine and International Health, 2005
introduction Annually more than 2 million pilgrims from all over the world attend the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Overcrowding during this pilgrimage leads to a high risk of transmission of airborne infectious diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) is common among hospitalized pilgrims, but the overall risk of acquiring Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection during this pilgrimage is not known. We conducted a prospective study to assess the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among Hajj pilgrims.