PPD(Purified Protein Derivative) also known as : Mantoux Test but most commonly known as: TB TEST (Tuberculin)

Annual PPD test are required for some University of Cincinnati employees (depending on the department) and all University of Cincinnati Health Professions students. Tests are also given to all new employees when physicals are required by their department.

Do you know how many active cases of Tuberculosis Cincinnati has in a year?

Do you know how many estimated visits per year to the Emergency Department are identified cases of TB? 

Why should you bother to get a TB skin test?
Are you really at risk?  You be the judge.

• Cincinnati averages 25 to 30 active cases of Tuberculosis per year.
• 60% of these cases were diagnosed at UC hospital.
• 40% of these cases were seen in the ED at UC for their TB or other medical issues.
• Of the identified cases of TB in Hamilton County, there are an estimated 10 to 15 visits per year to the ED by TB patients while they are infectious.
• TB patients can have minimal  symptoms and still have a high organism load and grossly abnormal chest x-ray.
• TB is often misdiagnosed. This means those patients with active infectious pulmonary tuberculosis are seen without the staff knowing that they had infectious TB disease: therefore, no respiratory protection was in use.
• The case rate per year for Asian Pacific-Islanders persons over the age of 65 and living in the United States is 100 cases per 100,000.
• Among PPD negative physicians caring for TB patients in a public hospital during the early 90's, 45% converted their PPD skin test during their training. There were similar findings in a New York City study. This study showed that the consistent use of basic isolation and treatment of patients in a timely manner decreased the PPD conversion rates among health care workers from 21% to 6% even before HEPA respirators were introduced. Case findings, appropriate isolation, and treatment are the best methods for protecting yourself.
  
  

  Questions ?????? Call Hamilton County Tuberculosis Control at 513-946-7610 After Hours Please Call: 513-379-4130

UHS Holmes clinic: No appointment necessary for TB test. UHS Lindner clinic: Please call to schedule an appointment for TB test. 513-556-2564 Test are given Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Recipient must return to the clinic within 48 -72 hours after placement to have test read.

+PPD survey (only submit this form if PPD test is positive)