female doctor talking to older female patientabout xray
TB Management

TB and Long-term Care

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).

Flyer: Reduce the risk of active TB among LTC residents

Long-term care residents experience a higher prevalence rate of active TB and are at greater risk of TB exposure, leaving them, as well as employees and the community, at risk. TB remains a real danger to nursing home residents and staff, especially if a case goes undetected. Find out why screening for TB infection is critical for effective TB management among high-risk populations.

Get the Flyer
male doctor in conversation with older male patient

The CDC recommends IGRA testing using QuantiFERON technology

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus tubes

QuantiFERON TB testing employs a simple blood test (IGRA) to aid in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The CDC preferentially recommends TB testing with IGRAs, like QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), instead of the TB skin test for the majority of the US testing population (4).

QFT-Plus is an accurate, convenient, and cost-effective tool to screen your residents and staff for TB infection.

Reduce the risk of active TB at your facility with QFT-Plus
QFT-Plus is the modern alternative to the tuberculin skin test.
Find out more
References:
  1. Congressional Research Service. (2021) Overview of Long-Term Services and Supports. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10427 
  2. 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. 
  3. US Preventive Services Task Force. (2016) Screening for latent tuberculosis infection in adults. JAMA. 316, 962–969.
  4. 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.
QFT-Plus is an in vitro diagnostic aid for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. QFT-Plus is an indirect test for M. tuberculosis infection (including disease) and is intended for use in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. QFT-Plus Package Inserts, available in multiple languages, as well as up-to-date licensing information and product-specific disclaimers can be found at www.QuantiFERON.com.