The evaluation of M. tuberculosis infection at hospitals' cleaner personel in Düzce

Tuberculosis in health workers is becoming more important if the increases of the incidence of nosocomial infections and multiple drug resistant cases are taken into consideration. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the presence of tuberculosis infection in administration department workers as well as the waste collectors who are continuously facing with the patients.Between February-March 2008, the cleaning workers working in Düzce University School of Medicine or Düzce Atatürk State Hospital, who were carrying potential risk with regards to tuberculosis infection, were included in the study. A total of 106 cleaners enrolled in the study. Search for tuberculosis infection was done by skin tuberculine test along with the microscopic evaluation of stained sputum samples and culture.The mean age of the patients was 33.99±7.31(ranged 17-53). Of the 106 cleaners, 63 was male (59.4%) and 43 was female (40.6%). All diagnostic tests were negative regarding to active tuberculosis. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection was estimated to be 74.5% by using tuberculine skin test. The positivity of tuberculine skin tests significantly correlated with economical status, institution, and BCG scar parameters. The factors affecting the positivity of tuberculine skin test were: BCG scar numbers, working as a cleaner, the duration of work in the hospital, the hospital itself, the department of work. However, BCG scar number and the hospital were the most significant parameters according to multiple regression analysis.It was observed that the cleaners carry high risk like the other health workers. It was concluded that; from the very first beginning of work in the hospital, regular tuberculine skin tests, evaluation of sputum samples when necessary, education and training regarding tuberculosis infection are helpful for the cleaners. As we have not observed any active infection, the precautions taken in the hospital with regards to tuberculosis seemed fairly enough.Key Words: M. tuberculosis, tuberculin skin test, hospital cleaner personel