Discrepancies in Tuberculin Skin Test Results with Two Commercial Products in a Population of Intravenous Drug Users

Alan R. Lifson, John K. Watters, Suzanne Thompson, Charles M. Crane, Francie Wise, Alan R. Lifson, John K. Watters, Suzanne Thompson, Charles M. Crane, Francie Wise

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30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Screening for tuberculosis (using the Mantoux test) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was conducted among intravenous drug users (IVDUs) recruited from a San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood. Of 178 IVDUs skin-tested with one commercial purified protein derivative (PPD) preparation, a reaction of ⩾5 mm ofinduration occurred in 62 (470/0) of 133 HIV-negative and 13 (29%) of 45 HIV-positive IVDUs (P =.037). Forty-two IVDUs with an initial PPD reaction ⩾5 mm were retested with a second commercial preparation; 11 (26%) had no reaction (0 mm) on retesting. These 11 were 5 (56%) of9 HIV-positive and 6 (18%) of33 HIV-negative persons (P =.038). These discrepancies may be unique to specific lots of product or may reflect more general differences. A degree of caution in evaluating unexpected tuberculin skin test results may be indicated. Response to different tuberculin products by HIV status should be further evaluated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1048-1051
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume168
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1993

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