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PPD RT23 for tuberculin surveys in India

V K Chadha1, P S Jagannatha, P S Vaidyanathan

  • 1National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. ntiindia@blr.vsnl.net.in

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|February 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Tuberculin testing in India using 1TU dilutions of purified protein derivative (PPD) RT23 with Tween 80 is appropriate. Studies show no significant difference in potency for these PPD RT23 dilutions, supporting their continued use in surveys.

Area of Science:

  • Mycobacteriology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) surveys in India rely on tuberculin testing.
  • The BCG Laboratory in Guindy, India, prepares purified protein derivative (PPD) RT23 with Tween 80 for these surveys.
  • The potency of these PPD dilutions is crucial for accurate survey results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the appropriateness of using 1TU dilutions of PPD RT23 with Tween 80 prepared by the BCG Laboratory, Guindy, for tuberculin surveys in India.
  • To compare the efficacy of PPD dilutions prepared locally versus those from Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

Main Methods:

  • Dual tuberculin tests were conducted in Bangalore district, India.
  • Responses were compared between PPD dilutions from Guindy (Dilution-G) and SSI (Dilution-S) in smear-positive TB cases.
  • 1TU and 2TU Dilution-G were tested in smear-positive cases and healthy children.
  • Randomized, double-blind allocation of test sites was employed.

Main Results:

  • Differences in tuberculin test sensitivity between PPD preparations were small and not statistically significant.
  • No loss of potency was detected in 1TU PPD RT23 with Tween 80 from the Guindy laboratory.
  • Higher reaction sizes were observed with 2TU compared to 1TU in children, potentially indicating lower specificity in areas with high non-specific sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • The 1TU dilutions of PPD RT23 with Tween 80 prepared by the BCG Laboratory, Guindy, are suitable for continued use in Indian tuberculin surveys.
  • The findings support the reliability of locally prepared tuberculin antigens for national TB surveillance programs.
Abstract

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