[First time tuberculin skin test among children in Asaminami-ward, Hiroshima City]

Abstract

Tuberculin skin test (TST) was performed on 7,398 babies and infants from April 2000 to September 2002 in Asaminami Public Health Center, Hiroshima City. Positive (diameter of erythema > or = 10 mm) rate first time TST among children above six months was higher than that of babies below six months. Second time TST among children above six months hardly became negative. Six children were indicated chemoprophylaxis by the results of second time TST and detailed examination, however, all 6 children did not meet with clinical criterion of chemoprophylaxis, and further studies are needed whether such weak positive reaction is specific for tuberculosis infection or not.