Tuberculosis at a university hospital, Thailand: A surprising incidence of TB among a new generation of highly exposed health care workers who may be asymptomatic.

The incidence of TB disease in HCWs was close to the general population of Thailand (153 per 100,000 population with 95% CI, 116 to 195). A higher incidence was observed in the profession that had contact with TB patients and their specimens. A high proportion of asymptomatic HCWs also had TB disease and TB incidence was found in a new generation of HCWs who have worked for less than 5 years. More rigorous epidemiology investigations are needed to establish a definitive relation to subsequently developing TB after working in a hospital. The authors suggest active surveillance in all new incoming HCWs and TB preventive therapy should also be provided to recent converters.