A passenger with pulmonary/laryngeal tuberculosis: no evidence of transmission on two short flights
Moore M, Fleming KS, Sands LAviat Space Environ Med 1996; 67:1097-1100
Abstract
Background: We investigated the likelihood of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) from a highly infectious passenger with pulmonary/laryngeal TB to other persons aboard two airline flights, each approximately 1.25 h in duration. Methods: The 146 passengers with known U.S. residence and 15 flight crew were contacted and referred to their personal health care provider or local health department for the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST). Each person was asked to complete a risk factor questionnaire and return this form with TST information provided by the health care provider. Results: Questionnaires and TST results were obtained for 110 passengers (75%) and 10 crew (67%). Twenty passenger TSTs were excluded from the analysis: 10 were self-read; one was not read in millimeters of induration; 8 were read after 72 h of being placed; and 1 was performed on a person suspected of being anergic. A positive TST was defined as > 5 millimeters of induration. Five passengers were found to be TST positive. There were no positive TST's identified among flight crew members. Each of the TST positive individuals had a risk factor for a positive TST. The TST positive individuals were seated throughout the plane, and each was seated at least 5 rows away from the passenger with infectious TB. Conclusion: Although the possibility of transmission cannot be excluded, the findings of our investigation support a low likelihood of TB transmission during the study flights.
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Table of Contents for Volume 67, Number 11 of the ASEM journal.