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. 1975 Jul 26;113(2):127-8.

Interpretation of the PPD skin test in BCG-vaccinated children

J H Joncas, R Robitaille, T Gauthier

Interpretation of the PPD skin test in BCG-vaccinated children

J H Joncas et al. Can Med Assoc J. .

Abstract

Skin testing with 5 tuberculin units (TU) of purified protein derivative (PPD) of tuberculin stabilized with polysorbate (Tween) 80 was done 3 months and 1 year after immunization with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in two groups of children: one group vaccinated at birth and another group at age 6 years. Interpretation of the PPD skin test with 5 TU is possible in children 1 year and older vaccinated with BCG at birth: if the diameter of induration is more than 10 to 12 mm the reaction cannot be ascribed to BCG vaccination and is highly suggestive of supervening infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or occasionally atypical mycobacteria. In contrast, the interpretation of a PPD test in children vaccinated at age 6 years is extremely difficult.

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