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Abstract
The relationship of age and previous BCG vaccination with tuberculin skin test (TST)
reactivity was investigated to assess the interpretation of TST results in the adult
population of Turkey, where there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis and a routine
BCG vaccination programme. The influences of age and BCG vaccine status on booster
reaction were also evaluated. TST was applied (5 tuberculin units of purified protein
derivative intradermally) to two healthy adult groups, namely 98 medical students
and 187 elderly people in a retirement home. The TST was considered positive if an
induration > or = 10 mm in diameter was produced. Subjects (41 elderly people and
39 students) with a reaction < 10 mm in diameter were retested 1 week later. There
was no significant difference between the students (59.1%) and elderly subjects (58.8%)
with respect to positive TST response. No influence of BCG scars on TST reactivity
was observed in either group. The booster effect was seen more commonly in the elderly,
but the presence of a BCG scar did not influence the booster effect in either group.
It was concluded that a positive TST response and booster reaction in adults in high-prevalence
countries may be caused by latent tuberculosis rather than previous vaccination.