Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2022 Dec;29(3):141-146. 10.14776/piv.2022.29.e16.

Contact Investigation for Twins With Congenital Tuberculosis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Yoo MH
• Kim KS
• Kim YW
• Kim EY
• Kim Y
• Jang HI
• Cho HM

• KMID: 2549054
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2022.29.e16

Abstract

Purpose
Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is difficult to diagnose owing to its non-specific symptoms. Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of nosocomial infections. We examined the TB status of infants and healthcare workers who were in proximity to preterm twins diagnosed with congenital TB 63 days after birth and 48 days after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Methods
Contact investigations were conducted on 24 staff members and 35 infants who had contact with the twins with congenital TB.
Results
Two of the exposed infants, both of whom had received the Bacille Calmette–Guérin vaccine, had positive tuberculin skin test results. Four of the 24 exposed staff members had positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test results before exposure and were not re-tested after exposure; the remaining 20 had negative IGRA test results. All exposed staff members and infants had normal chest radiographic findings.
Conclusions
Although transmission of TB in the NICU is unusual, it can occur. These results support the need for a systematic investigation of the TB status of exposed infants, their family members, and healthcare workers.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Contact investigation; Neonatal intensive care unit