Tuberculosis screening among healthcare workers in Sicily, Italy

Tuberculosis (TB) is a diffuse communicable disease; and healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the at-risk populations for the disease. This study reports the result of TB surveillance in HCWs operating in three hospitals: one classified as 'low' risk for TB and two as 'medium' risk. A total of 2228 HCWs underwent TB screening using the standard Mantoux technique (also known as the tuberculin sensitivity test [TST]). Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was carried out in TST-positive subjects. Results showed an overall positivity of 21% to TST and 2% to IGRA test. TST and IGRA results were statistically associated with HCWs born after 1981. This result is due to university policies that highly recommend TB immunization. Data support the use of IGRA assay in TST-positive HCWs, in order to identify latent TB infection from vaccination.