Control of tuberculosis in immigrants: A tuberculin survey of commonwealth immigrant children in Bradford

Abstract

Summary Because of the high incidence of tuberculosis amongst Commonwealth immigrants, especially Asians, in Bradford, a campaign was started to examine as many immigrants as possible, and to give B.C.G. vacine to all tuberculin-negative reactors. As part of this campaign, immigrant children, especially those from Asia and the West Indies, have been medically examined, Heaf-tested, and either given B.C.G. vaccine or had chest X-rays depending on the result of Heaf-testing. Of 1,394 children examined, 788 (56·5 per cent.) were found to be tuberculin-positive, and have been X-rayed. Seven cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were found, all in children from Pakistan. The 606 (43·5 per cent.) children who were tuberculin-negative were given B.C.G. vaccine. A large proportion of children from Commonwealth countries may be expected to exhibit non-specific sensitivity to tuberculin, and many children with low-grade sensitivity probably fall within this category. There may, therefore, be a case for giving B.C.G. vaccine to such children.