Latent Tuberculosis in a Paediatric Health Worker: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND

Latent Tuberculosis (LTBI) affects approximately a third of the world population. Paediatric health workers caring for adolescent Tuberculosis (TB) patients in high TB endemic regions are particularly susceptible as they are exposed to TB in the community and in the work place. However, there is a paucity of reports on LTBI in paediatric health workers.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the factors that could have resulted in latent TB in a paediatric health worker Methods/

Results

We present a case of a 38-year old female paediatrician who was diagnosed with LTBI by a positive QuantiFERON-TB gold test during the routine new entry immigrant screening for tuberculosis on arrival in the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies. She was treated with three months course of Rifampicin and Isoniazid (plus pyridoxine).

CONCLUSION

Latent TB infection may have been acquired from her involvement in the management of adolescents with adult type TB without the use of personal protective equipment. In this case, routine systematic screening of an at risk individual helped to eliminate TB infection.

RECOMMENDATION: Paediatric health workers should use personal protective equipment when managing childhood TB and should also be routinely screened for latent TB.