M37 DOES THE TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST INCREASE THE DETECTION OF TB INFECTION WHEN SCREENING HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS? THREE YEARS ’ EXPERIENCE IN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Background HIV infection is the strongest single risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis (TB) in individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI).1 NICE guidelines recommend screen-ing HIV-positive patients for LTBI with an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), plus a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) in patients with a CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 if IGRA negative. Method We began screening HIV-positive patients for LTBI in July 2011; this prospective study reports our 3 year data. Patients had an IGRA (T-SPOT. TB®), and a TST was performed in those with a negative result and a CD4 count <200 cells/mm3. Results 116 HIV-positive patients were screened (Table 1): CD4 Count ≥200 Group Of 88 patients, 4 (5%) had a history of previous TB infection and were excluded. 70/84 (83%) had a negative IGRA, 9/84 (11%) had a positive IGRA (3 had active TB and 6 LTBI) and 5/84 (6%) had inconclusive IGRA results