Occupational Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Hospital Laboratory Cleaning Service Worker
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53366/jimki.v12i2.960Keywords:
Pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural effusion , occupational diseaseAbstract
Introduction: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains an occupational health concern, particularly among medical and non-medical workers in healthcare facilities. Exposure to droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis increases the risk of infection, especially among cleaning service working in laboratory areas. This case report aims to describe a case of pulmonary TB with pleural effusion as an occupational disease in a hospital laboratory cleaning service and to identify occupational risk factors contributing to transmission.
Case Illustration: A 41-year-old male had worked as a cleaning service in a hospital sputum laboratory for 10 years, with frequent exposure to droplets containing M. tuberculosis. Clinical manifestations included productive cough, dyspnea, fever, and weight loss. The molecular rapid test (TCM) detected M. tuberculosis (very low) without rifampicin resistance. The patient was treated with a 4-FDC regimen (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol) and showed a good clinical response.
Discussion: Continuous exposure to aerosols from sputum samples of TB patients in the workplace is the main risk factor for infection among cleaning service. The diagnosis of occupational disease was established based on the temporal relationship between exposure and disease onset, in accordance with national occupational disease assessment guidelines. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment and insufficient environmental monitoring further increased the risk of transmission.
Conclusion: Pulmonary TB with pleural effusion can occur as an occupational disease among hospital cleaning service. Consistent use of personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, strengthened infection control protocols, and routine occupational health screening are essential to prevent similar cases.
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