Tuberculosis (Infection)
Reportable by Providers and LaboratoriesAbout this Reportable Disease
Infectious agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Description of illness: Tuberculosis Infection (TBI) is characterized by a positive test, such as an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) or a tuberculin skin test (TST) in the absence of symptoms or an abnormal chest X-ray. A TBI diagnosis involves a full clinical work-up by a doctor to make sure that TB disease is not present. Fortunately, TBI is not infectious and can be treated with less medication than TB disease. It is important to take preventive treatment even though you are not currently symptomatic because the infection could turn into active disease if you become immunosuppressed or as you age.
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Mycobacterium species (AFB)
| TEST NAME | Acid-Fast Bacilli | |
| DISEASE/DISORDER | Infections due to Acid-Fast Bacilli such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis | |
| ALTERNATE NAME(S) | AFB, TB | |
| METHODOLOGY | Culture-based testing | |
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| ORDERING INFORMATION | Lab Web Portal |
Specimen Requirements
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-Lowenstein-Jensen media (screw cap tube) or other appropriate media -Only pure cultures will be accepted
-Acceptable specimen types include: Abscess, body fluids, CSF, lower respiratory specimens (BAL, brush, wash, tracheal aspirates), sputum, tissue/lymph nodes, urine -Collect specimen (2 mL minimum) in a sterile, leak-proof container (50 mL conical tube) |
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| Specimen Acceptability and Rejection |
- Specimens that have leaked or were broken in transit - Media was liquified - Specimen contained GROSS contamination - Missing required information - Frozen specimens
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Laboratory Reporting
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Tuberculosis infection (also called inactive TB or latent TB infection [LTBI]) means a person has TB germs in the body, but they are not sick and have no symptoms.
- Testing and evaluation: TB infection is identified by a positive IGRA blood test or TST skin test, with a clinical work-up (including assessment for symptoms and chest imaging as indicated) to rule out TB disease.
- Not contagious: People with TB infection cannot spread TB germs to others.
- Progression risk and treatment: Without treatment, TB infection can progress to TB disease; CDC preferentially recommends short-course, rifamycin-based LTBI treatment regimens (3–4 months) when appropriate.
- Tennessee reporting: TDH requires reporting of TB infection (“latent”) with documentation per TDH reporting requirements.
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
Inactive TB (TB infection) means TB germs are in the body, but they are “asleep.” People with inactive TB do not feel sick, do not have symptoms, and cannot spread TB germs to others.
Testing and Diagnosis
TB infection is found using a TB blood test (IGRA) or a TB skin test (TST). A healthcare provider will do an additional evaluation to make sure TB disease is not present.
Why Treatment Matters
Without treatment, inactive TB can become active TB disease later. Treating TB infection helps prevent TB disease and protects families and communities.
Learn More in Tennessee
For more Tennessee-specific information and resources, visit the TDH Tuberculosis Elimination Program webpage.
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM