Effect of BCG vaccine on tuberculin skin tests in 7-11-year-old children

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica 2004-08, Vol.93 (8), p.1033-1035
• Main Authors: Bozaykut, A, Atay, E, Sevim, H, Atay, Z, Ceran, O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; BCG; BCG Vaccine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; children; Cicatrix - epidemiology; Cicatrix - pathology; Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death; Female; General aspects; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Time Factors; tuberculin skin test; Tuberculin Test; Tuberculosis - diagnosis; Tuberculosis - prevention & control; Turkey - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb02713.x

Aim: To determine the effect of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination on tuberculin skin test responses in 7–11‐year‐old children, and also to clarify whether the number of vaccinations and the time interval between vaccination and tuberculin skin test have an effect on the test responses. Method: 1200 primary school children were evaluated for the presence and number of BCG scars. They were then given 5 TU PPD‐S intra‐dermally. Seventy‐two hours after the application of tests, PPD indurations were measured. Results: Mean indurations were 3.7 ± 3.9, 6.5 ± 5.4 and 9.2 ± 7.1 mm in children with no scar, one scar and two scars, respectively. No statistical difference was found between mean induration of children with one scar and those with two scars. Conclusion: The effect of the number of BCG vaccinations and the time interval between vaccination and tuberculin skin test application on tuberculin skin test responses was statistically insignificant.