 |
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
|
|
|
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
|
Tuberculosis |
Positive Quantiferon TB Test06/23/2009 |
I am a healthcare worker. I converted to + ppd more than 10 years ago, I was treated with INH for 6 months. I recently had a + Quantiferon TB test. I have a neg chest xray. Do I need a further workup?
As a healthcare worker with a history of a positive TB skin test and a normal CXR, you will likely be required (at a minimum) to have annual screening for symptoms of TB. The CDC no longer recommends periodic CXR's for TB screening. Your state's Department of Health most likely has guidelines for TB screening for health care workers. I suspect most states do not yet incorporate results of the Interferon Gamma Release Assay for TB (IGRA-TB), such as the Quantiferon Gold test, into their TB screening guidelines. When we have more experience using the IGRA's, we may learn what it means in terms of your risk for reactivating TB in the future to have a + IGRA after taking 6 months' INH in the past.
|
Lisa A. Haglund, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
|
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
|