Abstract
Background: Tuberculin skin test (TST)—is widely used for screening tuberculosis TB in migrants from high endemic countries of Africa and Asia. However, the cut-off point for clinical TB and Mtb infection is not well established in TB endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa. In this study we compared the size of TST induration in smear positive pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, their house-hold contacts and community controls in high endemic setting in Ethiopia. Methods: In a health facility-based cross-sectional study, smear positive PTB patients were recruited. Their household contacts traced, and community controls were recruited from neighbourhoods. Sputum sample collected from patients were examined using smear microscopy. Participants were also tested by TST and QuantiFERON? -TB Gold In–Tube test (QFTGIT). Results: From a total of 224 study participants, skin test induration data were available for 48 PTB patients, 88 household contacts and 75 community controls. All 48 patients, 64 (72.2%) of the household contacts and 35 (46.7%) of the community controls had skin test induration ≥ 10 mm. Moreover, 44 (91.7%) PTB patients, 58 (65.9%) of the household contacts and 26 (34.7%) of the community controls had skin test induration ≥ 15 mm, respectively. The mean size of TST induration was significantly higher in TB patients (18.1mm) compared to that of household contacts (13.6 mm) and community controls (7.9 mm) (pMtb infection
Highlights
Tuberculin skin test (TST)—is widely used for screening tuberculosis TB in migrants from high endemic countries of Africa and Asia
This paper is based on the data generated from a total of 224 participants (50 pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, 96 household contacts and 78 community controls)
There was a significant difference between the mean level of IFN-γ in smear positive PTB patients and community controls as well as in household contacts and community controls (p < 0.05).The mean level of IFN-γ and proportion of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In–Tube test (QFTGIT) positivity did not differ by gender, age categories, BCG scar, BMI status, or use of substances in smear positive PTB patients, in contacts and in community controls (p > 0.05)
Summary
Tuberculin skin test (TST)—is widely used for screening tuberculosis TB in migrants from high endemic countries of Africa and Asia. In this study we compared the size of TST induration in smear positive pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, their household contacts and community controls in high endemic setting in Ethiopia. Methods: In a health facility-based cross-sectional study, smear positive PTB patients were recruited. Their household contacts traced, and community controls were recruited from neighbourhoods. Results: From a total of 224 study participants, skin test induration data were available for 48 PTB patients, 88 household contacts and 75 community controls. 44 (91.7%) PTB patients, 58 (65.9%) of the household contacts and 26 (34.7%) of the community controls had skin test induration ≥ 15 mm, respectively. Higher cut-off values (≥15 mm) show higher chance of TB infection [7], but this is not always true [3] [8]-[11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
