PREVALENCE OF PPD POSITIVITY AMONG NEW EMPLOYEES AT A HOSPITAL IN NEW-YORK-CITY

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of tuberculin reactivity among all new employees at a hospital in New York City. DESIGNS: Prospective measurement of purified protein derivative (PPD) status in consecutiv e new employees at a hospital in New York City from 1991 to 1993. All employees are tested as part of a preemployment physical, assuring com plete compliance. Aplisol (Parke-Davis, Morris Plains, NJ) was used in 1991 and 1992, and Tubersol (Connaught, Swiftwater, PA) in 1993. Test s were applied and interpreted by trained employee health personnel. R ESULTS: Of 313 consecutive new employees, comprising all job categorie s, 40% were PPD positive at time of initial hire, including 20% of US- born and 70% of foreign-born employees. Of 114 persons who had receive d BCG vaccination, 67% were PPD positive. By multivariate regression a nalysis, age, BCG vaccination history, and foreign country of birth we re independent predictors of a reactive PPD test. CONCLUSIONS: The hig h prevalence of tuberculin reactivity may reflect high rates of Mycoba cterium tuberculosis infection and disease in the community, complicat ing interpretation of the efficacy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of tuberculosis in h ealthcare facilities (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1995;16:344-347).