O-014 LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION AMONG HEALTHCARE STUDENTS IN A LOW-INCIDENCE COUNTRY. THE EXPERIENCE OF AN ITALIAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract Introduction Healthcare students and residents, as well as healthcare workers, are exposed to biological risk from MT (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) during hospital internships. Therefore, health surveillance for LTBI (latent tuberculosis infection) is crucial for them, even in low TB incidence countries like Italy, for early diagnosis and preventing active disease. Thus, a baseline test for LTBI diagnosis is strongly recommended for healthcare students and residents before clinical activities. Objectives. This study aimed to analyze MT-related biological risk surveillance data among healthcare students and residents before their internship in an Italian university hospital from 2018 to 2022. Methods The study included 2053 healthcare students and residents with a baseline Mantoux skin test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) confirmation test if necessary, before their clinical activities started between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. The analysis considered gender, age, nationality, degree, BCG vaccination, LTBI diagnosis, and associated characteristics. Results Among 2053 participants, 67% were healthcare students and 37% residents. Mostly Italian (95%) and female (65%), the mean age was 23.6 years old; foreigners students were mainly from non-low-incidence countries (≥ 10 cases/100,000 population). Among 2053 TSTs, 52 were positive: 7 were confirmed by IGRA and 6 were BCG-vaccinated. The chest X-ray was negative for all the participants with a positive TST. The seven confirmed LTBI cases received anti-TB chemoprophylaxis. No contacts with active TB reported. A TST positivity was associated with foreign nationality and age. Discussion and conclusions This study underscores LTBI screening importance for students and trainees before clinical training, even in low-incidence countries.