[Non-specific tuberculin sensitivity in school children in European countries]

In a prospective study in the Netherlands running since 1965 and in a multinational cooperative study of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) carried out in 13 countries the question was examined to which extent and trend non-specific tuberculin sensitivity in Europe exist. It could be proved that schoolchildren living in countries with a coastline show non-specific tuberculin sensitivity to a greater extent than children in other countries. The prevalence-trend is to be checked up by follow-up studies. Exact knowledge about geographic distribution of non-tuberculous mycobacteria and about extent and trend of diseases induced by non-tuberculous mycobacteria are necessary to assess their importance in Europe.