Naturally acquired tuberculin sensitivity in Netherlands New Guinea

Abstract

The author presents the results of some studies on tuberculin sensitivity that were carried out in Netherlands New Guinea in connexion with the WHO/UNICEF-assisted BCG-vaccination programme which was introduced there in May 1956.The data obtained suggest that non-specific sensitivity to tuberculin is rather widespread in the country and that most of the medium-sized reactions (diameter of induration, 12-14 mm) to the conventional 5 TU Mantoux test are probably caused by infection with allergy-producing organisms other than tubercle bacilli. The implications of these findings with regard to both tuberculin testing and BCG vaccination in areas where such non-specific sensitivity is common are discussed.