Investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, 2006

Mil Med. 2008 Jun;173(6):588-93. doi: 10.7205/milmed.173.6.588.

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed in a sailor aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan; an investigation was conducted to determine a screening strategy for 1,172 civilian passengers who were aboard during a temporary guest rider program. Sailors were screened for latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. A case-control study was conducted among sailors to determine factors associated with new LTBI. No secondary TB disease was identified; 13% of close contacts had new LTBI. Factors associated with new LTBI among sailors were having been born outside the United States (adjusted odds ratio = 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.55--5.07) and being a carrier air wing member (adjusted odds ratio = 2.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.83--4.58). Among 38 civilian passengers berthed near the patient, 1 (3%) had LTBI. The investigation results indicated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission was minimal and eliminated unnecessary TB screening for 1,134 civilians which saved public health resources.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Medical Records
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk
  • Ships / statistics & numerical data*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / epidemiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / transmission*
  • United States / epidemiology