Title |
The tuberculin skin test in school going adolescents in South India: associations of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics with TST positivity and non-response
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Published in |
BMC Infectious Diseases, November 2014
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DOI | 10.1186/s12879-014-0571-7 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Dharma Rao Uppada, Sumithra Selvam, Nelson Jesuraj, Sean Bennett, Suzanne Verver, Harleen MS Grewal, Mario Vaz, TB Trials Study Group |
Abstract |
India has generally used 1 TU purified protein derivative (PPD) as opposed to 2 TU PPD globally, limiting comparisons. It is important to assess latent TB infection in adolescents given that they may be a target group for new post-exposure TB vaccines. The aim of this study is to describe the pattern and associations of tuberculin skin test (TST) responses (0.1 ml 2 TU) in adolescents in South India. 6643 school-going adolescents (11 to <18 years) underwent TST. Trained tuberculin reader made the reading visit between 48 and 96 hours after the skin test Of 6608 available TST results, 9% had 0 mm, and 12% ≥10 mm responses. The proportion of TST positive (≥10 mm) was higher among older children, boys, those with a history of TB contact and reported BCG immunization Those with no TST response (0 mm) included younger participants (<14 years), those whose mothers were illiterate and those with a recent history of weight loss. Those of a higher socio-economic status (houses with brick walls, LPG gas as cooking fuel) and those with a visible BCG scar were less likely to be non-responders. Proportion of non-responders was lower than elsewhere in the world. Proportion of TST positivity was higher in those already exposed to TB and in children who had been BCG immunized, with a zero response more likely in younger adolescents and those with recent weight loss. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 59 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 12 | 20% |
Student > Master | 7 | 12% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 10% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 6 | 10% |
Professor | 3 | 5% |
Other | 7 | 12% |
Unknown | 18 | 31% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 14 | 24% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 9 | 15% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 3 | 5% |
Unspecified | 2 | 3% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 2 | 3% |
Other | 8 | 14% |
Unknown | 21 | 36% |