JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Volume 248, Issue 22, 1982, Pages 2983-2986

High Rate of Tuberculin Conversion in Indochinese Refugees (Article)

Morse D.L.* , Hansen R.E. , Swalbach W.G. , Redmond S.R. , Grabau J.C.
  • a Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Health Department, Albany, United States
  • b Center for Prevention Services, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, United States
  • c Monroe County Health Department, Rochester, NY, United States
  • d Monroe County Health Department, Rochester, NY, United States
  • e Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Health Department, Albany, United States

Abstract

From January 1979 through December 1980, a total of 664 Indochinese refugees were screened for tuberculosis in Monroe County, New York; 307 (46%) had positive 5-tuberculin unit PPD Mantoux tests. When 217 refugees with initially negative tests were retested at 60 days, 94 (43%) had converted from a negative to a positive test. Although none of the converters had evidence of active tuberculosis disease, 90 (96%) were given isoniazid preventive therapy. This conversion phenomenon has continued over time, discounting an effect of local, national, or international policy changes. The conversions do not seem to be a function of antigen, tester, or reader; criteria for testing, retesting, or reading; home country, camp country, or length of time in camp; or history of prior BCG vaccination, tuberculosis, or immunization exposure, current illness, or testing intervals since arrival in the United States and subsequent testing. Further studies to evaluate boosting or anergy are in progress to assess this potential public health problem. © 1982, American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

human infection rate epidemiology Refugees middle aged Time Factors geographic distribution Aged BCG vaccine United States Humans conversion Adolescent male female tuberculosis Infant Child, Preschool diagnosis major clinical study tuberculin test adult isoniazid Respiratory System nervous system Asia, Southeastern Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84944361241&doi=10.1001%2fjama.1982.03330220027030&partnerID=40&md5=22cd72ecf0cccd228cfdbfe8f6efb83b
DOI: 10.1001/jama.1982.03330220027030
ISSN: 00987484
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English