La prueba de tuberculina en la población pediátrica inmigrada

Abstract

Introduction: immigration has increased the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection, so it is worthwhile studying the results of tuberculin skin test (TST) in child immigrants. Patients and methods: this is a multicentric, descriptive study. TST, Mantoux technique, was administered to children between 6 months and 15 years of age, coming from developing countries, who had immigrated less than 12 months ago. Some factors were found related to the positivity of the TST and the failure to return for its evaluation was also studied. Results: out of 1009 children, 6.1% had positive TST (IC 95%:4.7%-7.7%). Eighty three percent of children who had BCG scars presented 0 mm of induration. The prevalence of positivity in the TST was higher in those vaccinated against BCG more than 3 years previously. Positive TST increased with age, and was not associated with sex, cultural level or cramped living conditions in our country. All children who had been in contact with individuals with active tuberculosis reacted positively. This test wasn't read in 3.7% of the sample, which was associated to the household overcrowding index >2 and to father's unemployment. Negative TST was not significantly associated with the presence of intestinal parasitation. Conclusion: we recommend that all children immigrating from developing countries should be tested for tuberculosis.