Risk of tuberculin conversion among healthcare workers and the adoption of preventive measures.

Background: In industrialised countries, occupational tuberculosis among healthcare workers (HCWs) is re-emerging as an important public health issue. To prevent and control tuberculosis transmission, several institutions have issued and implemented recommendations and practice guidelines.

Objectives: To estimate the annual rate of tuberculosis infection (ARTI; per 100 person-years) among HCWs in Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region of Italy, to identify factors associated with variations in the ARTI and to evaluate the efficacy of the regional guidelines to prevent and control tuberculosis.