Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, all positive TB skin tests are reportable to Public Health. The practitioner reading the test results must:

• Report the positive test even when referring the patient to another physician or specialist for treatment.
• Fax all positive skin test results using the Tuberculosis Reporting and Referral Form with recent chest x-ray to 519-883-2248. The Reporting and Referral Form can be obtained on the Request a Form page.

A person with a positive skin test should be further assessed to rule out active TB disease. This assessment should include all three of the following:

• Assessment of symptoms suggestive of active TB (see clinical presentation)
• Risk factors for TB (i.e. contact history or other medical conditions) 
• Chest X-Ray (frontal and lateral view)

In the presence of symptoms consistent with active pulmonary TB, three sputum samples for AFB smear and mycobacterial culture should be submitted to London PHL. Region of Waterloo Public Health should be notified in order to discuss possible isolation requirements (see sputum collection)

Source: (Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022) 

• The classic symptom of pulmonary TB disease is a chronic cough of at least three weeks duration.
• Cough is initially dry although after several weeks to months will become productive.
• Fever and night sweats are common, but may be absent in the very young and elderly.
• Hemoptysis, anorexia, weight loss, chest pain, and other symptoms are generally manifestations of more advanced disease.
• TB can be found in other parts of the body and symptoms will vary depending on location (e.g. lymphadenopathy, pleural effusion, and abdominal or bone/joint involvement).

Source: (Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022) 

What is an IGRA test?

Blood test to assist in the diagnosis M. Tuberculosis infection. There are two types of IGRA tests:

1. QuantiFERON – TB Gold
2. T-SPOT TB

The white blood cells from persons infected with M. Tuberculosis will release interferon gamma (IFN-g) when mixed with antigens derived from M. Tuberculosis. The result is based on the amount of IFN-g produced. IGRAs are not affected by BCG vaccination status and are useful for evaluating LTBI in BCG-vaccinated individuals, specific to when BCG is administered after infancy or when multiple BCG vaccinations are received. IGRA has a specificity of >95% in diagnosis of LTBI.

(Canadian TB Standards, - 7th Edition, pg. 18)

What are the advantages of having an IGRA test?

• IGRA test requires a single patient visit.
• Results can be available in 2-10 days.
• Prior BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccination does not cause a false positive result.
• Results not affected by most environmental Mycobacteriae.
• Results are not affected by reader bias or error.

What are the disadvantages of the IGRAs?

• The cost is not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
• QuantiFERON^®-TB Gold testing can only be obtained at certain locations of Dynacare and Life Labs. Please contact Dynacare for hours and availability of test.
• Limited data on the use of IGRAs to predict who will progress to TB disease in the future.
• Limited data on the use of IGRAs for:
  • children younger than five years of age
  • persons recently exposed to M. Tuberculosis
  • immunocompromised persons
  • serial testing

When can IGRAs be considered?

• As a confirmatory test when an individual has had a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) and when there is a low risk of the individual being infected with TB.
• For persons who have received BCG vaccination after infancy (one year of age) and/or have had BCG vaccination more than once.
• For confirmation of LTBI particularly when preventative treatment is being considered.
• For persons from groups that historically have poor rates of return for TST reading.

When should IGRAs not be considered?

• For the diagnosis of active TB.
• When serial testing is indicated such as healthcare workers or other populations (e.g. corrections staff or prison inmates) with potential for ongoing exposure.
• When a live-virus vaccine has been administered unless they are both on the same day or 4-6 weeks after receiving the live vaccine.

Chest radiography (frontal and lateral views) is the usual first step in evaluation of an individual with pulmonary symptoms. Chest radiography cannot provide a conclusive diagnosis on its own (if abnormal) and should be followed by microbiological tests for TB (sputum testing for AFB and culture).

The interpretation of chest x-rays is highly variable between readers. About 10 per cent of persons with HIV infection and active TB disease will have a normal chest x-ray. Typical Chest X-Ray findings in immunocompetent adults:

1. Position: infiltrates in the apical-posterior segments of upper lobes or superior segments of lower lobes in 90 per cent.
2. Volume Loss: hallmark of TB disease as a result of destructive and fibrotic nature.
3. Cavitation: seen at later stage of disease and depends upon immune response, not often seen in immunocompromised individuals.

Note: Non-cavity infiltrates and lower lobe involvement may be seen in the immunocompromised, such as patients with diabetes, renal failure, HIV infection, or on corticosteroids.

Source: (Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022) 

• At least three sputa specimens should be collected using standard orange top urine specimen container.
• Collect 5-10 mL of sputum from deep cough (not saliva) using following:
  • three consecutive morning samples
  • three samples collected same day, at least one hour apart (must write time on bottle if collected on same day)
• Specimens should be delivered to the laboratory within one hour of collection. If transportation of specimens is delayed, specimens should be refrigerated at 4°C and protected from light.
• Submit samples using the Public Health Ontario General Test Requisition. Indicate AFB smear and Culture for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Source: (Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022) 

• Smear for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) - result is generally available within 24 hours.
• PCR Testing for M.TB.Complex - done Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with results phoned on the same day (test is done on all new smear positive results).
• Culture for M.Tuberculosis - results may be available anywhere from 4 days - 7 weeks.
• Susceptibility Drug Testing - results available 4 - 7 days after organism has grown in culture.

Treatment for LTBI should be considered for those with a positive TB skin test to reduce an individual’s risk of developing active TB disease.

• TB risk factors: See the Online TST/IGRA Interpreter to determine a person’s lifetime risk of developing active TB and the risk of adverse events from therapy with INH.
  • A 5 per cent lifetime risk is a reasonable cut-off for consideration of LTBI treatment.
  • The decision to treat LTBI should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the risks of therapy from adverse events (e.g. hepatotoxicity as related to age >50 years or comorbidities), balanced against the risk of development of active TB (risk factors as outlined below). (Canadian TB Standards 7th ed., chapter 6 and chapter 13, 2014).
  • For individual country TB incidence rates see the World Health Organization website.
• It is essential that active TB has been ruled out prior to initiating LTBI treatment.
• Age ≥35 years is not a contraindication to treatment of LTBI if the risk of progression to active TB disease is greater than the risk of serious adverse reactions to treatment.
• For immunosuppressed individuals LTBI treatment should be considered in consultation with a TB expert (a Respirologist or Infectious Diseases Physician).

For assistance with assessment of risk, please see the Online TST/IGRA Interpreter.

Tuberculin Skin Test Cut-points for Treatment of LTBI

Source: (Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022) 

See Canadian TB Standards, 8th ed, 2022, Chapter 6, Tuberculosis preventative treatment in adults.

For treatment of LTBI in HIV positive or pediatric clients, refer to a Respirologist or Infectious Disease Specialist.

Community health care providers who wish to order latent TB infection (LTBI) treatment for uncomplicated adult patients should:

• Fully complete the Tuberculosis Reporting and Referral Form
• Complete the Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment in Adults – Order Sheet for Community Practitioners Form
• Fax both forms to Public Health at 519-883-2248

• Ordering health care providers will:
  • Order and assess all baseline and treatment monitoring bloodwork
  • Respond to issues or concerns during treatment
• Public Health will:
  • Dispense all TB medications free of charge
  • Support treatment adherence
  • Assist with reminding patients when bloodwork is due
  • Notify the health care provider of any issues as they arise
• For more information, call Public Health’s TB Information Line at 519-575-4400, ext. 5281.

• Screen for TB symptoms to rule out active TB, prior to, and on admission
  • Symptoms include cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, chest pain, weakness or tiredness, weight loss, lack of appetite, chills, fever, night sweats
• A posteroanterior and lateral chest x-ray should be performed if a resident is symptomatic and the resident should be referred for medical assessment if indicated.
• Routine TB skin testing on, or prior to, admission is not recommended for residents

• Annual or periodic TB skin testing is not recommended for residents

Note: If a new or existing resident has been exposed to someone with infectious TB, testing should be based on a contact tracing assessment done by Public Health.

• An individual risk assessment that identifies risk for TB that includes:
  • Temporarily or permanently living in a country with a high incidence of TB,
  • Prior TB,
  • Current or expected disease or treatment that makes them more susceptible to infection (immune suppression), and/or
  • Close contact with someone with TB who is infectious since the last TB skin test
• A symptom evaluation
• A baseline TB skin test for those without documented prior TB disease, latent TB infection, or positive TB skin test
  • While volunteers should be screened for risk factors for latent TB infection, consideration could be given to performing a tuberculin skin test only in those who expect to volunteer at least one-half day/week or who have risk factors for latent TB infection.
  • A baseline 2-step TB skin test should be done unless there is documentation of a previous negative 2-step test, in which case a 1-step TB test should be done.
  • All staff and volunteers with a positive TB skin test should be assessed for active TB disease including a medical assessment and chest x-ray, including consideration for treatment of TB infection by a physician experienced in management of TB and latent TB infection; they should also be educated on the signs and symptoms of TB.
  • Please refer to our Public Health tuberculosis page for more information about TB Skin Tests and where staff can have them done.

• The Canadian Tuberculosis Standards (8^th Edition) strongly recommends against routine or periodic TB testing of all health care workers with a negative baseline TB skin test.
  • Health care organizations can consider whether periodic screening for selected health care workers is warranted based on their organizational risk assessment.
• If a staff member or volunteer is exposed to someone with infectious TB, consult Public Health.