Increased risk of tuberculosis in health care workers: a retrospective survey at a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an established occupational disease affecting health care workers (HCWs). Determining the risk of TB among HCWs is important to enable authorites to take preventative measures in health care facilities and protect HCWs. This study was designed to assess the incidence of TB in a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. This study is retrospective study of health records of HCWs in our hospital from 1991 to 2000. RESULTS: The mean workforce of the hospital was 3359 + 33.2 between 1991 and 2000. There were 31 cases (15 male) meeting the diagnostic criteria for TB, comprising eight doctors, one nurse and 22 other health professionals. Mean incidence of TB was 96 per 100,000 for all HCWs (relative risk: 2.71), 79 per 100,000 for doctors (relative risk: 2.2), 14 per 100,000 for nurses and 121 per 100,000 (relative risk: 3.4) for other professionals. The mean incidence of TB in Turkey between 1991 and 2000 was 35.4 per 100,000. Incidence of TB was similar in the Departments of Chest Diseases and Clinical Medicine but there were no TB cases in the Basic Science and Managerial Departments. CONCLUSION: HCWs in Turkey who work in clinics have an increased risk for TB. Post-graduate education and prevention programs reduce the risk of TB. Control programs to prevent nosocomial transmission of TB should be established in hospitals to reduce risk for HCWs

Increased risk of tuberculosis in health care workers: A restrospective survey at a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an established occupational disease affecting health care workers (HCWs). Determining the risk of TB among HCW is important to enable authorites to take preventative measures in health care facilities and protect HCWs. This study was designed to assess the incidence of TB in a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. A retrospective study of health records of HCWs in our hospital from 1991 to 2000

ADULT ONSET STILL'S DISEASE WITH PLEUROPERICARDITIS

We present a case of adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) revealed by pleuropericarditis. A 33 yr old man was admitted with fever, fatigue, chest and back pain. Radiological and laboratory investigations showed pleuropericarditis with leucocytosis, anemia, high erthyrocyte sedimentation rate and serum C-reactive protein level. Pleural fluid consisted predominantly of lymphocytes. Cytological and microbiological analysis were inconclusive and empiric antituberculous therapy with methylprednisolone was started. The symptoms improved. When steroid doses were reduced, clinical and laboratory findings worsened. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was obtained and it showed chronic fibrinous pleuropericarditis. Hepatosplenomegaly and history of arthralgia, high ferritin levels, negative ANA, RF, were consistent with AOSD. Antituberculosis therapy was stopped. Methotrexate was started. Since the diagnosis of AOSD requires the exclusion of specific etiologies of pleuropericarditis, it may be defined with some delay in time

An unusual radiographic finding in pulmonary parenchymal endometriosis - A case report

Thoracic endometriosis is an uncommon disorder. In most cases, the diagnosis is based. on history alone and radiographic findings depend on the menstrual cycle. CT findings include ill-defined or well-defined opacities, nodular lesions, cavities, cystic changes and bullous formation. We report a case of pulmonary parenchymal endometriosis with an unusual radiographic finding

Diffuse interstitital lung disease in an ankylosing spondylitis patient

In a 58-years-old white woman with ankylosing spondylitis, plane chest radiograph revealed bilateral reticulonodular shadowing. Parenchymal high resolution computarized tomography showed bilateral diffuse ground glass appearance and honey-comb opacities especially in the lower lobes. Her pulmonary function test revealed a moderate degree of restrictive lung disease, carbonmonoxide diffussion capacity of lung were diminished. Brochioloalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy did not show any specific finding. So, we excluded other causes of an interstitial lung diseases by open lung biopsy. We suggest that also diffuse interstitial lung disease should be thought in ankylosing spondylitis patients having pulmonary symptoms. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved