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Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of US Health Care Personnel: ACOEM and NTCA Joint Task Force on Implementation of the 2019 MMWR Recommendations. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 62:e355-e369. [PMID: 32730040 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
: On May 17, 2019, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Tuberculosis Controllers Association issued new Recommendations for Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of Health Care Personnel, United States, 2019, updating the health care personnel-related sections of the Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005. This companion document offers the collective effort and experience of occupational health, infectious disease, and public health experts from major academic and public health institutions across the United States and expands on each section of the 2019 recommendations to provide clarifications, explanations, and considerations that go beyond the 2019 recommendations to answer questions that may arise and to offer strategies for implementation.
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Karat AS, Gregg M, Barton HE, Calderon M, Ellis J, Falconer J, Govender I, Harris RC, Tlali M, Moore DAJ, Fielding KL. Evidence for the Use of Triage, Respiratory Isolation, and Effective Treatment to Reduce the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:155-172. [PMID: 32502258 PMCID: PMC7823078 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence is limited for infection prevention and control (IPC) measures reducing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) transmission in health facilities. This systematic review, 1 of 7 commissioned by the World Health Organization to inform the 2019 update of global tuberculosis (TB) IPC guidelines, asked: do triage and/or isolation and/or effective treatment of TB disease reduce MTB transmission in healthcare settings? Of 25 included articles, 19 reported latent TB infection (LTBI) incidence in healthcare workers (HCWs; absolute risk reductions 1%-21%); 5 reported TB disease incidence in HCWs (no/slight [high TB burden] or moderate [low burden] reduction) and 2 in human immunodeficiency virus-positive in-patients (6%-29% reduction). In total, 23/25 studies implemented multiple IPC measures; effects of individual measures could not be disaggregated. Packages of IPC measures appeared to reduce MTB transmission, but evidence for effectiveness of triage, isolation, or effective treatment, alone or in combination, was indirect and low quality. Harmonizing study designs and reporting frameworks will permit formal data syntheses and facilitate policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meghann Gregg
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah E Barton
- University College Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jayne Ellis
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Falconer
- Library and Archives Service, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Indira Govender
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca C Harris
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mpho Tlali
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David A J Moore
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Fox GJ, Redwood L, Chang V, Ho J. The Effectiveness of Individual and Environmental Infection Control Measures in Reducing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 72:15-26. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in healthcare settings is a preventable driver of the global tuberculosis epidemic. We aimed to assess the evidence for infection control interventions, including cough etiquette, engineering and personal respiratory protection measures, to prevent transmission of M. tuberculosis in healthcare settings.
Methods
Three independent systematic reviews were performed using 6 databases and clinical trials websites. Randomized trials, cohort studies, before-after studies, and case-control studies were included. Searches were performed for controlled studies evaluating respiratory hygiene, engineering, and personal respiratory protection measures. Outcome measures included the incidence of tuberculosis infection and disease. Studies involving transmission to either humans or animals were included.
Results
Evaluation of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette interventions identified 4 human studies, with 22 855 participants, and 1 guinea pig study. Studies in humans evaluated the effects of multiple concurrent interventions. Patient use of surgical masks reduced infection by 14.8%, and tuberculosis disease was reduced by between 0.5% and 28.9%. Engineering and environmental interventions were evaluated in 10 studies of humans, including 31 776 human participants, and 2 guinea pig studies. Mechanical ventilation was associated with between 2.9% and 14% less infection. Nine studies of personal respiratory protection were included, including 33 913 participants. Infection was reduced by between 0% and 14.8% in studies where particulate respirators were used. The quality of included studies was assessed as low.
Conclusions
Respiratory hygiene, engineering, and environmental infection controls and personal respiratory protection interventions were associated with reduced transmission of M. tuberculosis and reduced tuberculosis disease in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg J Fox
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa Redwood
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vicky Chang
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Ho
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
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Diel R, Nienhaus A, Witte P, Ziegler R. Protection of healthcare workers against transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in hospitals: a review of the evidence. ERJ Open Res 2020; 6:00317-2019. [PMID: 32201694 PMCID: PMC7073423 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00317-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Employees in contact with infectious tuberculosis (TB) patients in healthcare facilities of low-incidence countries are still at considerable risk of acquiring TB infections. However, formal precautions recommended on the protection of healthcare workers may not only vary from country to country but also within a single country. The objective of this study was to compare current guidelines with respect to hospital infection control of TB, focusing on common shared priorities and discrepancies between sets of recommendations. Methods Five types of procedures captured in guidelines of the World Health Organization, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Germany are compared and the underlying evidence is discussed. Results Uncontroversially, personal protection by respirators in the TB ward and during aerosol-generating procedures is key to reducing Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure. However, there is no consensus on the types of masks that should be worn in different situations. Closely connected to this, there is considerable uncertainty with respect to the optimal date of removing sputum smear-negative and multidrug-resistant TB patients from isolation. Indeed, the use of notable new tools for this purpose, such as the highly sensitive PCR tests recommended by the World Health Organization for detecting TB/multidrug-resistant TB, have yet to be sufficiently incorporated into TB guidelines. Perceptions differ, too, as to whether long-term control measures for M. tuberculosis infections in healthcare workers by serial testing for latent TB infection should be established and, if so, how testing results should be interpreted. Conclusions Although the current recommendations on protection of healthcare workers are otherwise homogeneous, there are considerable discrepancies that have important implications for daily practice. Current @WHO, US, UK and German recommendations on protecting employees in healthcare facilities against M. tuberculosis transmission show considerable practical discrepancies. Harmonisation and practical amendments of such guidelines is most desirable.http://bit.ly/2EzGlBN
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Diel
- Institute for Epidemiology, University Medical Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Kiel, Germany.,Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, ARCN, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Großhansdorf, Germany.,Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany.,German Central Committee against Tuberculosis, Berlin, Germany
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany.,Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Witte
- German Central Committee against Tuberculosis, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Hospital Hygiene, Johannes Wesling Hospital Minden, University Medical Hospital of Ruhr University Bochum, Minden, Germany
| | - Renate Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical School, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
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Schmidt BM, Engel ME, Abdullahi L, Ehrlich R. Effectiveness of control measures to prevent occupational tuberculosis infection in health care workers: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:661. [PMID: 29801449 PMCID: PMC5970465 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5518-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A number of guideline documents have been published over the past decades on preventing occupational transmission of tuberculosis (TB) infection in health care workers (HCWs). However, direct evidence for the effectiveness of these controls is limited particularly in low-and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Thus, we sought to evaluate whether recommended administrative, environmental and personal protective measures are effective in preventing tuberculin skin test conversion among HCWs, and whether there has been recent research appropriate to LMIC needs. Methods Using inclusion criteria that included tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion as the outcome and longitudinal study design, we searched a number of electronic databases, complemented by hand-searching of reference lists and contacting experts. Reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality using recommended criteria and overall evidence quality using GRADE criteria. Results Ten before-after studies were found, including two from upper middle income countries. All reported a decline in TST conversion frequency after the intervention. Among five studies that provided rates, the size of the decline varied, ranging from 35 to 100%. Since all were observational studies assessed as having high or unclear risk of bias on at least some criteria, the overall quality of evidence was rated as low using GRADE criteria. Conclusion We found consistent but low quality of evidence for the effectiveness of combined control measures in reducing TB infection transmission in HCWs in both high-income and upper-middle income country settings. However, research is needed in low-income high TB burden, including non-hospital, settings, and on contextual factors determining implementation of recommended control measures. Explicit attention to the reporting of methodological quality is recommended. Trial registration This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO in 2014 and its registration number is CRD42014009087.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Falmouth Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
| | - Mark E Engel
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Leila Abdullahi
- Vaccines for Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine & Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rodney Ehrlich
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Dobler CC, Farah WH, Alsawas M, Mohammed K, Breeher LE, Murad MH, Molella RG. Tuberculin Skin Test Conversions and Occupational Exposure Risk in US Healthcare Workers. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 66:706-711. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Dobler
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Wigdan H Farah
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Mouaz Alsawas
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Khaled Mohammed
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Pediatric Residency Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Laura E Breeher
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robin G Molella
- Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Hidden Reservoir: An Outbreak of Tuberculosis in Hospital Employees with No Patient Contact. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016; 37:1111-3. [PMID: 27277431 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2016.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We describe an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) in the food preparation area of a hospital, which demonstrates that employees in healthcare settings may serve as potential risks for spread of TB even if they have no direct patient contact. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1111-1113.
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Chaisson LH, Roemer M, Cantu D, Haller B, Millman AJ, Cattamanchi A, Davis JL. Impact of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay on triage of respiratory isolation rooms for inpatients with presumed tuberculosis: a hypothetical trial. Clin Infect Dis 2014; 59:1353-60. [PMID: 25091300 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placing inpatients with presumed active pulmonary tuberculosis in respiratory isolation pending results of serial sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy is standard practice in high-income countries. However, this diagnostic strategy is slow and yields few tuberculosis diagnoses. We sought to determine if replacing microscopy with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) nucleic acid amplification assay could reduce testing time and usage of isolation rooms. METHODS We prospectively followed inpatients at San Francisco General Hospital undergoing tuberculosis evaluation. We performed smear microscopy and Xpert testing on concentrated sputum, and calculated diagnostic accuracy for both strategies in reference to serial sputum mycobacterial culture. We measured turnaround time for microscopy and estimated hypothetical turnaround times for Xpert on concentrated and unconcentrated sputum. We compared median and total isolation times for microscopy to those estimated for the 2 Xpert strategies. RESULTS Among 139 patients with 142 admissions, median age was 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 43-60 years); 32 (23%) patients were female, and 42 (30%) were HIV seropositive. Serial sputum smear microscopy and a single concentrated sputum Xpert had identical sensitivity (89%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 52%-100%) and similar specificity (99% [95% CI, 96%-100%] vs 100% [95% CI, 97%-100%]). A single concentrated sputum Xpert could have saved a median of 35 hours (IQR, 24-36 hours) in unnecessary isolation compared with microscopy, and a single unconcentrated sputum Xpert, 45 hours (IQR, 35-46 hours). CONCLUSIONS Replacing serial sputum smear microscopy with a single sputum Xpert could eliminate most unnecessary isolation for inpatients with presumed tuberculosis, greatly benefiting patients and hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Adithya Cattamanchi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Curry International Tuberculosis Center, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California
| | - J Lucian Davis
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Curry International Tuberculosis Center, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California
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Nienhaus A, Ringshausen FC, Costa JT, Schablon A, Tripodi D. IFN-γ release assay versus tuberculin skin test for monitoring TB infection in healthcare workers. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 11:37-48. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.12.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Ling
- Respiratory Epidemiology & Clinical Research Unit, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H2X 2P4, Canada
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da Costa PA, Trajman A, Mello FCDQ, Goudinho S, Silva MAMV, Garret D, Ruffino-Netto A, Kritski AL. Administrative measures for preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in a teaching hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. J Hosp Infect 2009; 72:57-64. [PMID: 19278753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2009.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an occupational disease of healthcare workers (HCWs). Administrative and engineering interventions simultaneously implemented in hospitals of developed countries have reduced the risk of nosocomial transmission of M. tuberculosis. We studied the impact of administrative infection control measures on the risk for latent TB infection (LTBI) among HCWs in a resource-limited, high-burden country. An intervention study was undertaken in a university-affiliated, inner-city hospital in Rio de Janeiro, where routine serial tuberculin skin testing (TST) is offered to all HCWs. From October 1998 to February 2001, the following infection control measures were progressively implemented: isolation of TB suspects and confirmed TB inpatients, quick turnaround for acid-fast bacilli sputum tests and HCW education in use of protective respirators. Among 1336 initially tested HCWs, 599 were retested. The number of TST conversions per 1000 person-months during and after the implementation of these measures was reduced from 5.8/1000 to 3.7/1000 person-months (P=0.006). The most significant reductions were observed in the intensive care unit (from 20.2 to 4.5, P<0.001) and clinical wards (from 10.3 to 6.0, P<0.001). Physicians and nurses had the highest reductions (from 7.6 to 0, P<0.001; from 9.9 to 5.8, P=0.001, respectively). We conclude that administrative measures for infection control can significantly reduce LTBI among HCWs in high-burden countries and should be implemented even when resources are not available for engineering infection control measures.
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Joshi R, Reingold AL, Menzies D, Pai M. Tuberculosis among health-care workers in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. PLoS Med 2006; 3:e494. [PMID: 17194191 PMCID: PMC1716189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 330] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2006] [Accepted: 10/11/2006] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from patients to health-care workers (HCWs) is a neglected problem in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most health-care facilities in these countries lack resources to prevent nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis (TB). METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a systematic review to summarize the evidence on the incidence and prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) and disease among HCWs in LMICs, and to evaluate the impact of various preventive strategies that have been attempted. To identify relevant studies, we searched electronic databases and journals, and contacted experts in the field. We identified 42 articles, consisting of 51 studies, and extracted data on incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for LTBI and disease among HCWs. The prevalence of LTBI among HCWs was, on average, 54% (range 33% to 79%). Estimates of the annual risk of LTBI ranged from 0.5% to 14.3%, and the annual incidence of TB disease in HCWs ranged from 69 to 5,780 per 100,000. The attributable risk for TB disease in HCWs, compared to the risk in the general population, ranged from 25 to 5,361 per 100,000 per year. A higher risk of acquiring TB disease was associated with certain work locations (inpatient TB facility, laboratory, internal medicine, and emergency facilities) and occupational categories (radiology technicians, patient attendants, nurses, ward attendants, paramedics, and clinical officers). CONCLUSIONS In summary, our review demonstrates that TB is a significant occupational problem among HCWs in LMICs. Available evidence reinforces the need to design and implement simple, effective, and affordable TB infection-control programs in health-care facilities in these countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajnish Joshi
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Maharashtra, India
| | - Arthur L Reingold
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Dick Menzies
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Madhukar Pai
- Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Paolo WF, Nosanchuk JD. Tuberculosis in New York city: recent lessons and a look ahead. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2004; 4:287-93. [PMID: 15120345 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(04)01004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, after decades of decline, the incidence of tuberculosis began to rise in New York city, reaching a peak of 3811 cases by 1992. The epidemic took root in a setting of inadequate treatment regimens, homelessness, a diminished public-health system, and the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In addition, a subepidemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis occurred throughout New York city, most notably in a series of well documented nosocomial outbreaks. By 1994, using broadened initial treatment regimens, directly observed therapy, and improved US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for hospital control and disease prevention, New York city began to effectively halt the progression of the epidemic. By 2002, tuberculosis rates in New York city reached an historic low of 1084. However, given the presence of a large reservoir of latently infected individuals in the city and an ongoing tuberculosis pandemic, New York city continues to face significant challenges from this persistent pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Paolo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Menzies D, Adhikari N, Arietta M, Loo V. Efficacy of environmental measures in reducing potentially infectious bioaerosols during sputum induction. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2003; 24:483-9. [PMID: 12887235 DOI: 10.1086/502242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the airborne viable bacterial concentrations generated during sputum induction and their reduction with exhaust ventilation, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), or both. METHODS Exhaust ventilation, upper air UVGI lights, and a portable UVGI unit were operated independently or in combination while and after sputum induction was performed for 58 patients suspected of having active tuberculosis. Viable airborne bacteria were sampled with volumetric air samplers, grown on blood agar, and identified with standard techniques. RESULTS During and immediately after sputum induction, concentrations of airborne bacteria, particularly respiratory tract or oropharyngeal organisms, increased rapidly, regardless of environmental conditions. The subsequent rate of reduction of airborne bacteria was most rapid with the portable UVGI unit, followed by upper air UVGI with air mixing. Exhaust ventilation achieved high air changes per hour, but efficacy in reducing airborne bacterial concentrations was low. However, the continuous entrainment of bacteria-laden air from the hallway outside may have resulted in underestimation. The efficacy of a wall-mounted upper air UVGI fixture was significantly less if there was no air mixing. The irradiation from this fixture was of adequate germicidal intensity only in a narrow horizontal plane 2.5 m above the floor. CONCLUSION Sputum induction was associated with a rapid and substantial increase in airborne bacteria despite the use of exhaust ventilation providing more than 30 air changes per hour, and the adjunct use of UVGI. This emphasizes that healthcare workers involved in similar cough-inducing procedures performed for patients with suspected tuberculosis must wear appropriate personal respirators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dick Menzies
- Montreal Chest Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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15
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Kellerman SE, Tokars JI, Jarvis WR. The Costs of Healthcare Worker Respiratory Protection and Fit-Testing Programs. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1998. [DOI: 10.2307/30141524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Woeltje KF. Tuberculosis: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1998. [DOI: 10.2307/30141523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Prezant DJ, Kelly KJ, Mineo FP, Janus D, Karwa ML, Futterman N, Nolte C. Tuberculin skin test conversion rates in New York City Emergency Medical Service health care workers. Ann Emerg Med 1998; 32:208-13. [PMID: 9701304 DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(98)70138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine annual tuberculin skin test conversion (infection) rates for prehospital health care workers (EMTs and paramedics) in an urban environment with a high prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS We conducted a prospective study of prehospital health care workers for the New York City EMS, EMS Employee Health Service, and the Fire Department Bureau of Health Service to determine the tuberculin skin test conversion rates. In 1992, all current and new EMS prehospital health care workers without a known history of a positive tuberculin reaction received a baseline tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test. Thereafter, (January 1, 1993-December 31, 1996) all EMS health care workers who had negative PPD skin test results received annual tuberculin PPD skin tests. Tuberculin skin test conversion was defined as induration of 10 mm or greater in a worker with a documented prior negative test result. The PPD skin test reaction was measured by trained professional readers. RESULTS A total of 7,290 PPD test results were read during this study. Compliance with annual testing was 75%. Annual tuberculin skin test conversion rates were 1.3% in 1993, .7% in 1994, .1% in 1995, and .2% in 1996 (average .5%). In a static subgroup with at least 15 years' seniority, compliance with annual testing was 100% and annual tuberculin skin test conversion rates were .5% in 1993, 0 in 1994, .5% in 1995, and 1.5% in 1996 (average .6%). CONCLUSION Despite the high prevalence of M tuberculosis infection in New York City and the potential for difficulty in the use of respiratory precautions during emergency response operations, EMS prehospital health care workers have an annual tuberculin conversion rate that is relatively low compared with hospital-based health care workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Prezant
- Bureau of Health Services, New York City Fire Department, NY, USA
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Rivera P, Louther J, Mohr J, Campbell A, DeHovitz J, Sepkowitz KA. Does a Cheaper Mask Save Money? The Cost of Implementing a Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment Program. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1997. [DOI: 10.2307/30141959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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