An epidemiologic investigation of occupational transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection to dental health care personnel: infection prevention and control implications.

Background: The authors describe an investigation of a dental hygienist who developed active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), worked for several months while infectious and likely transmitted Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a dental setting in Washington state.

Methods: Clark County Public Health (CCPH) conducted an epidemiologic investigation of 20 potentially exposed close contacts and 734 direct-care dental patients in 2010.

Results: Of 20 close contacts, one family member and two coworkers, all of whom were from countries in which TB is endemic, had latent TB infection (LTBI).

Importance of bacterial burden among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers in a long-term care facility.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization, as well as risk factors associated with MRSA carriage, among residents of a long-term care facility (LTCF).

Design: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: A 100-bed Veterans Administration LTCF.