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Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis, 2000
Chapter 4
Testing for TB Disease and Infection
Summary
In most U.S. populations, targeted testing for TB is done to identify
persons at high risk for TB who would benefit from treatment for
latent TB infection (LTBI). Testing should be done in groups for
which rates of TB are substantially higher than for the general
population (targeted testing). All testing activities should be
accompanied by a plan for follow-up care for persons with TB infection
or disease. Clinicians should give tuberculin skin tests to high-risk
persons as part of their routine evaluation. Institutional testing
is recommended for the staff of health care facilities, as well
as for the staff and residents of long-term care institutions where
TB cases are found. The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is the preferred
method of testing for TB infection.
Objectives
After working through this chapter, you will be able to
- List the 8 groups of persons who are at higher risk for exposure
to or infection with M. tuberculosis;
- List the 6 groups of persons who are at higher risk of developing
TB disease once infected with M. tuberculosis;
- Describe how the Mantoux tuberculin skin test is given;
- Describe the classification of the tuberculin reaction;
- Describe anergy testing and its role in tuberculin skin testing;
- Describe two-step testing.
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Released October 2008
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination - http://www.cdc.gov/tb
Please send comments/suggestions/requests
to: hsttbwebteam@cdc.gov,
or to
CDC/Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch
1600 Clifton Rd., NE - Mailstop E-10, Atlanta, GA 30333 |