Annual screening for latent tuberculosis in healthcare workers: No longer required

Overview

This "Phlebotomy Webinar" presentation will review the methods available to detect latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), including the classic tuberculin skin test and the more recently developed interferon gamma release assays (IGRA). The advantages and limitations of each of these methods will be discussed and the latest recommendations on their use will be presented. This will include a discussion of recent recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on routine screening of health care workers for LTBI using IGRAs.

Presentation

Video length: 55 min

Presenter

Elitza Theel, Ph.D., D(ABMM)

Director, Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory

Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Review methods to detect LTBI
• Compare and contrast the skin test versus interferon gamma release assays for detection of LTBI
• Discuss role of IGRA for detection of LTBI in health care workers
• Describe current recommendations for use of IGRA in the U.S.

Intended audience

This series is appropriate for phlebotomists, phlebotomy managers, phlebotomy educators, and other patient-care staff involved in specimen collection.

Questions?

Contact us: mcleducation@mayo.edu