February 7, 2010

Latent TB in HCWs - a tale of neglect

From Montreal comes this study into latent tb testing of 630 HCWs and the results are not good;

546 were foreign-born,
443 reported previous BCG vaccination,
210 were positive for latent TB (+10mm lumps),
165 began treatment
115 completed treatment.

In another study of public and private clinics in 19 regions of the United States and Canada in 2002
Less than half of persons starting treatment for latent tuberculosis infection completed therapy.
No reason was given as to why they had failed to complete the course.