contacts of persons with tuberculosis

Diagnostic procedures

• tuberculin skin testing or IFN-gamma release assay*

* IFN-gamma release assay takes 8-10 weeks to become positive after recent exposure to tuberculosis (also see screening for tuberculosis)

Radiology

• chest X-ray to rule out active tuberculosis if tuberculin skin testing or IFN-gamma release assay is positive

Management

• regardless of results of tuberculin skin testing or IFN-gamma release assay, patients with immunodeficiency with recent exposure to a close contact with tuberculosis shouldreceive chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis after active disease has been excluded
  • patients with immunodeficiency include patients with
    • HIV1
    • diabetes mellitus
    • uremia
    • alcoholism
    • malnutrition
    • seizures
    • pregnancy

More general terms

• exposure to infectious agent