Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Laboratory Test Methods (Online CE Course)

(based on 638 customer ratings)

Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^CM, SM(ASCP)^CM
Reviewer: Christine Mayambala, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^CM

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This course provides information about the difference between active tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), etiology, pathogenesis, and distribution both in the US and globally. Targeted testing of individuals (based on risk factors), as well as laboratory testing methods (to include the tuberculin skin test [TST] and interferon gamma release assay [IGRA]) are described. An emphasis on laboratorian troubleshooting of aberrant results is included. The course concludes with a brief description of recommended treatment and management regimens for LTBI (including the role of laboratory in the monitoring of infected individuals).

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)

Approved through 1/31/2025

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

Approved through 1/31/2025

Objectives

Describe the difference between active tuberculosis [TB] disease and latent tuberculosis infection [LTBI], list terms and abbreviations.
Describe the etiology (cause of disease) and pathogenesis (manner of development) of TB disease and LTBI.
Review the epidemiology (occurrence and distribution) of TB disease and LTBI in the United States (US) and globally.
Targeted testing: Describe who should be tested for TB infection (risk factors).
Describe recommended TB test methods, interpretations, and limitations (TB skin test [TST] versus laboratory TB blood tests to include interferon-gamma release assays [IGRA]).
Describe recommended treatment and management regimens for patients with LTBI (to include laboratory monitoring).

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(based on 638 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.

Introduction

Introduction
Historical Background
What is the Difference Between LTBI and Active TB?
Terminology
List of Terms and Abbreviations
Which of the following statements is correct regarding LTBI?
Select the statement which best corresponds to the abbreviation: IGRA.

Etiology and Pathogenesis of TB Disease and LTBI

Etiology: What is the Cause of Tuberculosis?
Pathogenesis: What is the Process by which Tuberculosis (TB) Develops?
Pathogenesis: What is the Process by which Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Develops?
Pathogenesis: Risk of Activation from LTBI to Active TB Disease
Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) experience what immune response?
Expected laboratory findings in a case of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) might be:
The risk of activation from LTBI to active TB disease is approximately 17-20% over an individual's lifetime.

Epidemiology

Epidemiology: What is it? Why is it important?
Epidemiology: TB and LTBI in the United States
Epidemiology: TB and LTBI in the World
Epidemiology: Special Consideration - The HIV-infected
At present, the prevalence of LTBI (people living with TB infection) in the United States is estimated to be as high as:
It is estimated that half of the world's population has latent TB infection (LTBI).

Targeted Testing: Who Should be Tested?

Targeted Testing: Who Should be Tested for TB Infection?
Targeted Testing: Who Should be Tested for TB Infection? (continued...)
Special Consideration: Those Vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine
Persons at high risk for TB infection fall into which two broad categories?
Which statement best reflects people at high risk for TB infection or TB disease after infection? (Those targeted for testing?)

TB Test Methods

TB Test Methods
Additional Considerations
The Role of the Laboratorian: Troubleshooting Unusual Results

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)

Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Description
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Procedure
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Test Frequency and Interpretation of Results
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Limitations
A false-positive TST may occur when:
Which of the following statements is correct when describing the TST procedure?

Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA)

Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA): Description
Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA): Procedure
Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA): Interpretation of Results
Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA): Limitations
Which of the following is true of current IGRA test methods for determining TB status?
The interferon gamma release assay (IGRA):

Treatment and Management

Recommended Treatment Regimens for LTBI
Recommended Treatment Regimens for LTBI (continued...)
Recommended Patient Management Regimen for LTBI
In Summary
Duration of drug treatment for LTBI may be as short as three months (12 total doses) and includes:
Patient management for individuals on drug treatment for LTBI include:

References

References

Image References

Image References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate

Intended audience: This course is intended for microbiology and immunology bench technicians and technologists, supervisors, and administrators.

Author information: Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.

Reviewer information: Christine Mayambala, PhD, is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). She has earned a PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology Specialization. Dr. Mayambala is experienced as a Generalist and Molecular Technologist. At present, Dr. Mayambala teaches pre-nursing and medical laboratory technology at a community college in Metro Atlanta.

Course description: This course provides information about the difference between active tuberculosis (TB) disease and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), etiology, pathogenesis, and distribution both in the US and globally. Targeted testing of individuals (based on risk factors), as well as laboratory testing methods (to include the tuberculin skin test [TST] and interferon gamma release assay [IGRA]) are described. An emphasis on laboratorian troubleshooting of aberrant results is included. The course concludes with a brief description of recommended treatment and management regimens for LTBI (including the role of laboratory in the monitoring of infected individuals).