Suspected transmission of tuberculosis in a maternity ward from a smear-positive nurse: preliminary results of clinical evaluations and testing of neonates potentially exposed, Rome, Italy, 1 January to 28 July 2011

We report preventive measures adopted after tuberculosis(TB) transmission from a nurse to a newborn assessed in late July 2011. All exposed neonates born between January and July 2011 were clinically evaluated and tested by QuantiFERON TB gold in-tube; newborns testing positive were referred for prophylaxis.Of 1,340 newborns, 118 (9%) tested positive and no other active cases of TB were found. Active surveillance for TB will be continued over the next three years for all those exposed.