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Active Tuberculosis in a Healthcare Worker: Are You Ready?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Thomas G. Fraser ,
Joan Kowalczyk ,
Steven Schmitt ,
Jill Bernstein ,
Paul Terpeluk ,
J. Walton Tomford  and
Steven M. Gordon
Thomas G. Fraser*
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland, Ohio Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Joan Kowalczyk
Affiliation:
Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Steven Schmitt
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland, Ohio Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Jill Bernstein
Affiliation:
Occupational Health, Cleveland, Ohio
Paul Terpeluk
Affiliation:
Occupational Health, Cleveland, Ohio
J. Walton Tomford
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland, Ohio
Steven M. Gordon
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland, Ohio Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Department of Infectious Disease/S32 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 (frasert@ccf.org)
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Abstract

We describe a healthcare worker with a previously positive tuberculin skin test result who developed active tuberculosis. An investigation revealed 280 potential contacts, 3 of whom had positive tuberculin skin test results. Our experience demonstrates the potential benefits of therapy for latent tuberculosis infection as a component of a tuberculosis-control program.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 80 - 82
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2009

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References

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