Nationwide Shortage of TB Skin Test Antigens Leads Cleveland County Health Department to Temporarily Reserve TB Testing for Priority Populations, per CDC
SHELBY, NC – August 4, 2019 – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a national shortage of Tubersol, a purified protein derivative used by healthcare professionals to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, often referred to as TB. Tubersol is used as a means of diagnosing TB, and is in no way used for the prevention or treatment of TB.
It is unclear when this shortage will resolve. Due to the nationwide shortage of Tubersol, the CDC and North Carolina Division of Public Health recommends temporarily suspending TB testing for the general population, so the supply may be saved for those populations identified to be at greatest risk for TB infection.
As a result, the Cleveland County Health Department has temporarily suspended TB testing for residents who may need a TB test for school and employment, and is reserving Tubersol for TB testing for those who have been identified to be at greatest risk for TB infection. The CDC has identified the following categories as persons of highest public health priority, in priority order:
- Those with contact to a person with pulmonary or laryngeal TB
- Persons with symptoms suggestive of TB disease
- Persons arriving from medium or high TB incidence countries (i.e. countries in Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, or Africa).
Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) serology testing is another screening tool for TB. It is available at the Cleveland County Health Department at a cost of $75. It is not recommended to substitute the IGRA for annual TB testing as part of an infection control program (i.e. employee screening).
Per CDC guidance, the following groups should either defer skin testing or use an IGRA:
- Staff with direct inmate contact upon employment
- Inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections (both testing upon incarceration and yearly thereafter)
- Staff of licensed nursing homes upon employment
- Residents upon admission to licensed nursing homes or adult care homes
- Staff in adult day care centers providing care to persons with HIV/AIDS upon employment.
Once the Cleveland County Health Department receives an adequate supply of Tubersol, we will notify the public and resume regular TB testing for the general population.
For more information on TB testing or if you need clarification on whether to defer or receive the IGRA testing, you may contact the Cleveland County Health Department at 980-484-5100.