[First time tuberculin skin test among children in Asaminami-ward, Hiroshima City]
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1Asaminami Public Health Center, Hiroshima City, 1-33-14, Furuichi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 731-0193, Japan. okuno-h@city.hiroshima.jp
Insights
Tuberculin skin test (TST) results in infants showed higher positive rates in older children. Further research is needed to determine if weak positive reactions indicate tuberculosis infection, as current criteria for treatment were not met.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Study conducted at Asaminami Public Health Center, Hiroshima City, involving 7,398 infants and babies.
- Tuberculin skin testing (TST) was performed between April 2000 and September 2002.
- Investigated TST positivity rates and implications in a pediatric population.
Purpose:
- To analyze the results of tuberculin skin tests in a large cohort of infants and babies.
- To assess the positivity rates of TST based on age groups (below and above six months).
- To evaluate the need for chemoprophylaxis based on TST results and clinical criteria.
Summary:
- First-time TST showed a higher positive rate in children over six months compared to those under six months.
- Repeat TST in children over six months rarely converted to negative.
- Six children were recommended for chemoprophylaxis, but did not meet clinical criteria, necessitating further investigation into weak positive reactions.
Impact:
- Highlights potential age-related differences in TST reactivity in infants.
- Raises questions about the specificity of weak positive TST reactions for tuberculosis infection in young children.
- Suggests a need to refine clinical guidelines for chemoprophylaxis in infants with borderline TST results.
Abstract:
Tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed on 7,398 babies and infants from April 2000 to September 2002 in Asaminami Public Health Center, Hiroshima City. Positive (diameter of erythema > or = 10 mm) rate first time TST among children above six months was higher than that of babies below six months. Second time TST among children above six months hardly became negative. Six children were indicated chemoprophylaxis by the results of second time TST and detailed examination, however, all 6 children did not meet with clinical criterion of chemoprophylaxis, and further studies are needed whether such weak positive reaction is specific for tuberculosis infection or not.
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