Tuberculosis prevention in long-term care
About 14 million adults in the United States need long-term services and supports (LTSS), and over half (56%) are older adults aged 65 and over (1). Older adults living in long-term care facilities have historically had higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) disease than those living in the community (2).
Some of this increased risk for TB disease may be attributed to the higher prevalence of medical comorbidities, the age-associated immune senescence, protein malnutrition, and close proximity between residents, in addition to past TB exposures.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening residents of congregate settings, including long-term care, for latent TB infection (LTBI) (3).
The CDC recommends IGRA testing using QuantiFERON technology
Reduce the risk of active TB at your facility with QFT-Plus
QFT-Plus is the modern alternative to the tuberculin skin test.
References:
- Congressional Research Service. (2021) Overview of Long-Term Services and Supports. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10427
- Thrupp L, Bradley S, Smith P, et al. (2004). Tuberculosis prevention and control in long-term-care facilities for older adults. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 25, 12.
- US Preventive Services Task Force. (2016) Screening for latent tuberculosis infection in adults. JAMA. 316, 962–969.
- Lewinsohn, D.M., et al. (2017) Official ATS/IDSA/CDC clinical practice guidelines: Diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults and children. Clin. Infect. Dis. 64, 111–116.