Mw. Borgdorff et al., Density of tuberculin skin reaction and its association with tuberculosis infection as defined by dual tuberculin testing, INT J TUBE, 4(11), 2000, pp. 1060-1065
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the density of tuberculin skin reactions is
associated with tuberculosis infection.
METHODS: In a national tuberculin survey in Tanzania, 1983-1987, all eligib
le children in a random sub-sample of schools underwent dual tuberculin ski
n testing with PPD-RT23 and PPD-scrofulaceum. The density of reactions to R
T23 was classified as proposed by Palmer. A larger reaction to PPD-scrofula
ceum than to PPD-RT23 is suggestive of infection with environmental mycobac
teria. Tuberculosis infection was defined based on dual skin test results a
pplying a range of possible definitions.
RESULTS: A total of 10 782 children aged 5-14 years and without BCG scar we
re included in the analysis. Large skin reactions to RT23 were generally fi
rmer than small ones. After taking the size of the skin reaction to RT23 in
to account, its density was not associated with the size of the skin reacti
on against PPD-scrofulaceum. In particular, the density of reactions in the
range 6-11 mm was not associated with tuberculosis infection according to
any of the definitions used.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the density of reaction was not associ
ated with tuberculosis infection in Tanzanian school children after taking
the size of the induration into account.