Abstract
Objective:To determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi, using interferon gamma release assay.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. The samples were collected from pulmonology and microbiology departments of three hospitals; i) Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, ii) Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi and iii) Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The study was completed in one year from January 2017 to January 2018. Fifty-five asymptomatic healthcare workers of both genders between the ages of 18-50 years with a working tenure of at least one year in concerned departments were included and those with active tuberculosis were excluded from the study. Whole blood from subjects was collected and plasma was checked for interferon gamma value by IGRA (Interferon gamma release assay).Results:In this study of total 55 healthcare workers a high prevalence 22 (40.0%) of latent tuberculosis was found. When LTBI distribution was analyzed within occupational categories, the most frequently affected were sanitary workers 3 (100.0%), nurses 5 (50.0%), doctors 6 (43%) and nursing assistants 2 (40%).Conclusion:The prevalence of LTBI in healthcare workers is alarmingly high in our local healthcare settings.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem worldwide
Along with WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region countries (EMR) like Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, Pakistan is currently rated ‘D’ which means that disease burden and mortality is very high
Pakistan carries about twothirds of the total disease burden of all the 22 EMR
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem worldwide. About 1.7 million people die of tuberculosis every year. The current incidence of tuberculosis is at an all-time high (>9 million). Eighty percent of the active cases come from 22 countries with low socioeconomic status.[1] In terms of incidence of tuberculosis, the WHO African region is on top with 356 cases/100,000 populations per year. High prevalence is seen in densely populated Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan).[2] Along with WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region countries (EMR) like Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, Pakistan is currently rated ‘D’ which means that disease burden and mortality is very high. Pakistan carries about twothirds of the total disease burden of all the 22 EMR
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
