Medica Jadertina, Vol. 43 No. 3, 2013.
Review article
Even in the third millennium with an old friend: issues in the interpretation of tuberculin skin test results
Anamarija Jurčev Savičević
; Teaching Public Health Institute of Split and Dalmatia County, Split, Croatia
Đorđija Vidić
; Teaching Public Health Institute of Split and Split and Dalmatia County, Split, Croatia
Kornelija Miše
; University Hospital Split
Rosanda Mulić
; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
As countries approach the low incidence of tuberculosis burden and subsequently its elimination phase, intensive efforts should be undertaken. Along with the most successful intervention in tuberculosis control, which is early detection and early treatment of tuberculosis patients, the importance of detection and
treatment of latent tuberculosis infection and emergence of groups at particularly high risk of tuberculosis are gradually increasing. There are currently two tests used to detect latent tuberculosis infection: tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays. Although tuberculin skin tests have been used for decades, the interpretation of the results is not easy, especially in a population which has been vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. Particular problems have arisen with the use of repeated tuberculin tests
to detect new infection in high-risk population such as initially tuberculin-negative contacts of tuberculosis patients. The aim of this review is to provide guidance for the proper interpretation of tuberculin test results, with special emphasis on conversion, reasons for false positive and false negative results, buster phenomenon, criteria for distinguishing conversion from buster phenomenon, changes in tuberculin reactions due to variability in test results, reversion, testing of pregnant women and buster effect of tuberculin test on interferon-gamma release.
Keywords
tuberculin skin test; PPD test; interferon-gamma relase assay; Croatia; buster phenomenon
Hrčak ID:
107244
URI
Publication date:
11.9.2013.
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