UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE
POLICY ON TUBERCULOSIS (TB) SURVEILLANCE
Background
UCSF is accredited by the independent Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of
Laboratory Animal Care International. AAALAC grants this accreditation only to select
organizations that exhibit the highest standards for the humane treatment of animals in research.
In adhering to the guidelines outlined by AAALAC, UCSF is committed to preventing the
transmission of zoonotic diseases among humans and animals.
Scope
Tuberculosis (Tb) is a zoonotic disease that is difficult to detect in nonhuman primates and
spreads rapidly in nonhuman primate colonies. Because there is no effective treatment for this
infection in nonhuman primates infected animals are euthanized to control the spread of the
infection. Due to the devastating consequences of Tb for nonhuman primates and associated
research projects, special precautions are taken to reduce the risk that employees involved in the
use and care of these animals will infect them.
Due to the morbidity and mortality associated with tuberculosis infections in Old World (OW)
nonhuman primates, as well as the potential personal and public health consequences associated
with tuberculosis infection, all employees working in rooms containing OW nonhuman primates
must participate in annual Tb screening.
Personnel
The University of California, San Francisco requires that all veterinary staff, animal care
technicians, research personnel, facilities personnel, Environmental Health and Safety Staff,
IACUC staff and IACUC Committee members working with, or exposed to, OW nonhuman
primates participate in annual tuberculosis screening.
Required Procedures
1. It is the responsibility of the manager/supervisor to ensure that all staff with exposure to
OW nonhuman primates are informed of the surveillance requirements, and that these
requirements are fulfilled prior to beginning work, and annually thereafter.
2. Prior to beginning work, all personnel must provide one of the following:
a. Documentation of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD) within the previous
three months OR
b. Documentation of a negative chest x-ray in the previous three months for
individuals who have had a positive PPD test.
c. Note: Documentation of BCG vaccination is not sufficient to satisfy this
surveillance requirement.
3. Annually, all personnel must provide one of the following:
a. Documentation of a negative Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD) within the previous
twelve months OR
2/13/2016
b. Documentation of a negative Symptom Review Form within the previous twelve
months. Completion of a Symptom Review Form is an acceptable form of Tb
screening only for those individuals who have previously tested positive on a
PPD. OR
c. Documentation of a negative chest X-ray for individuals who have had a positive
Symptom Review Form, or who have converted to a positive PPD in the previous
12 months.
4. Tuberculosis screening documentation should be sent via email, fax or mail to the UCSF
Public Health Office.
a. Email: tiffany.bennett@ucsf.edu
b. Fax: 415-476-0581
c. Mail: Box 0942
5. New employees without tuberculosis screening documentation must visit Occupational
Health Services. The following steps must be followed to obtain Tb surveillance:
a. Complete and forward a Request for Service form to UCSF Occupational Health
Services:
http://www.occupationalhealthprogram.ucsf.edu/Forms/OHS_Request_for_Servi
ce.doc
b. Contact UCSF Occupational Health Services (OHS) after the Request for Service
Form is submitted to schedule an appointment for Tb surveillance. UCSF OHS
can be contacted as follows:
UCSF Occupational Health Services
Phone: 415-885-7580
Fax: 415-771-4472
http://www.occupationalhealthprogram.ucsf.edu/
6. Current Employees may visit Occupational Health Services during their drop-in hours or
Tb Clinic days to receive Tb screening. No appointment or paperwork is required.
Information regarding drop-in and clinic hours can be found on the UCSF Occupational
Health website: http://www.occupationalhealthprogram.ucsf.edu/.
7. Once Tb screening results have been submitted, and/or all appropriate documentation has
been received, the Public Health Officer will electronically submit an Animal Exposure
Work Clearance to the individual, as well as the individual’s supervisor.
8. Employees with a positive chest x-ray will not be allowed to work until documentation of
medical clearance from a physician has been received by Occupational Health Services.
9. If an employee fails to comply with any of the above requirements, the Public Health
Office will inform his/her supervisor and the IACUC that the worker is not cleared to
work with nonhuman primates.
2/13/2016
For Additional Information
Contact the Public Health Office:
Tiffany Bennett
Assistant to the Public Health Officer
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
tiffany.bennett@ucsf.edu
(415) 514-3531
Krista Lindstrom, DVM, MPH
Public Health Officer
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
krista.lindstrom@ucsf.edu
(415) 476-1722
Stephen Born, MD, MPH
Associate Clinical Professor
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
sborn@sfghoem.ucsf.edu
(415) 206-5769
2/13/2016