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contacts of persons with tuberculosis
Special laboratory:
- 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
General
exposure to infectious agent
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 16,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2012