Another hazard to laboratory workers

Abstract

Needle-stick injuries, unfortunately, are a common occurrence during blood extraction and handling of specimens in the laboratory, which often lead to the contraction of blood-borne viral diseases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection also poses a threat to healthcare workers, especially laboratory workers in areas with endemic levels of tuberculosis infections. We present in this report, a case of primary inoculation of tuberculosis of the skin transmitted following a needle-stick injury, which was successfully treated. Reports of such an occurrence are few, and our report further underlines the need to take greater precautions against these accidents. In addition, our case draws attention to the possibility of prophylactic anti-tuberculous treatment in high-risk patients to prevent the progression of an overt illness.