The incidence of tuberculosis in drug users with small tuberculin reaction sizes

R. S. Klein, M. N. Gourevitch, R. Teeter, E. E. Schoenbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

SETTING: In persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a decreased tuberculin reaction cut-point of ≥5 mm induration is recommended. OBJECTIVE: To determine tuberculosis risk in non-anergic HIV-infected persons with 5-9 mm tuberculin reactions. DESIGN: A prospective study with semi-annual tuberculin and anergy testing, HIV antibody and T cell subset assays, and active surveillance for tuberculosis. RESULTS: Participants were 572 HIV-seronegative and 241 HIV-seropositive non-anergic drug users. No tuberculosis occurred in HIV-seronegative persons. Tuberculosis incidence among HIV-seropositive drug users was 3.3, 7.7, 0, and 0.34 per 100 person-years in those with tuberculin reaction sizes of ≥10 mm, 5-9 mm, 1-4 mm, and 0 mm, respectively, and was significantly increased in persons with 5-9 mm induration compared with those with 0-4 mm induration (rate ratio 27.7, 95%CI 2.9-268). Among persons with reaction sizes of 5-9 mm, tuberculosis occurred exclusively in those with CD4+ lymphocyte counts <500/mm3 at the time of their 5-9 mm tuberculin reactions. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected persons with tuberculin reaction sizes of 5-9 mm are at increased risk for tuberculosis compared to non-anergic persons with smaller (0-4 mm) reaction sizes. However, this increased risk may be limited to those with low CD4+ lymphocyte counts at the time of tuberculin testing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)707-711
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume5
Issue number8
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Drug users
  • Skin tests
  • Tuberculin testing
  • Tuberculosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

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