False-Positive Tuberculin-Skin-Test Results Caused by Dosing Error

1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 738-739
Author(s):  
Elena Peeva ◽  
Connie Caputo ◽  
Victor Jimenez
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 750-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Collins ◽  
Mary Hunter ◽  
Wanda Gordon ◽  
Russell R. Kempker ◽  
Henry M. Blumberg ◽  
...  

Following large declines in tuberculosis transmission the United States, large-scale screening programs targeting low-risk healthcare workers are increasingly a source of false-positive results. We report a large cluster of presumed false-positive tuberculin skin test results in healthcare workers following a change to 50-dose vials of Tubersol tuberculin.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:750–752


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 937-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid E. van Brummelen ◽  
Anja M. Bauwens ◽  
Noël J. Schlösser ◽  
Sandra M. Arend

ABSTRACT Treatment of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection on the basis of the tuberculin skin test (TST) result is inaccurate due to the false-positive TST results that occur after Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination or exposure to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Gamma interferon release assays (IGRAs) are based on M. tuberculosis-specific antigens. In a previous study among BCG-naïve military employees, a positive TST result after deployment was mostly associated with a negative IGRA result, suggesting exposure to NTM. Data regarding the kinetics of IGRAs are limited and controversial. The present study aimed to reassess the rate of false-positive TST results and to evaluate the kinetics of the Quantiferon TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-Git) in military personnel with a positive TST result. QFT-Git was performed at the time of inclusion in the study and was repeated after 2, 6, 12, and 18 or 24 months. Of 192 participants, 17 were recruits and 175 were screened after deployment (n = 169) or because of travel or health care work. Baseline positive QFT-Git results were observed in 7/17 (41.2%) and 12/174 (6.9%) participants, respectively. During follow-up, a negative QFT-Git result remained negative in 163/165 (98.8%) participants. Of 18 subjects with an initial positive QFT-Git result, reversion to a negative result occurred in 1/6 (16%) recruits, whereas it occurred in 8/12 (66%) subjects after deployment or with other risk factors (P = 0.046). The quantitative result was significantly lower in subjects with reversion than in those with consistent positive results (P = 0.017). This study confirmed a low rate of positive QFT-Git results among military personnel with a positive TST result after deployment, supporting the hypothesis of exposure to NTM. Reversion of the majority of initially low-positive QFT-Git results indicates that QFT-Git may be useful for the diagnosis of later reinfections.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Agarwal ◽  
Siddharth Kumar Das ◽  
Girdhar G. Agarwal ◽  
Ragini Srivastava

Tuberculin skin test has been used as an indicator of latent tuberculosis in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) before administration of biologicals. Effect of Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and steroids on the result of tuberculin skin test (TST) may have important implications in interpretation of results of this test.Objectives. To find the prevalence of positive TST in rheumatoid patients and the effect of standard treatment on the results of TST.Method. In this cross-sectional study two hundred and fifty patients of RA above 18 years of age, classified using 1987 ACR criteria for RA, were enrolled from rheumatology outdoor. Demographics, disease activity, disease duration, and therapy were recorded. All patients underwent TST.Results. Fifty-one (20.4%) patients were found to be tuberculin positive. Tuberculin positivity was not affected by MTX intake but it was significantly low in patients with recent steroid intake as compared to patients who had not taken steroids in last 3 months (3% versus 25%,P= 0.002).Conclusion. Prevalence of tuberculin positivity in patients with RA was found to be low. Results were not affected by methotrexate; however tuberculin skin test results in patients with recent use of steroids are likely to be negative.


2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian H. Pilsczek ◽  
Stefan H.E. Kaufmann

Latent tuberculosis was studied in a research laboratory. A prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test results (> 15mm) of 20% was found and the main predictors were place of birth in a foreign country with high prevalence of tuberculosis and a history of contact with patients with untreated active tuberculosis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subash Babu ◽  
Sajid Q. Bhat ◽  
N. Pavan Kumar ◽  
V. Kumaraswami ◽  
Thomas B. Nutman

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. P259
Author(s):  
NT Teeratakulpisarn ◽  
SP Phositlimakul ◽  
PS Suwanmala ◽  
CW Wongsuthipol ◽  
TP Pankam ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Fraser ◽  
Joan Kowalczyk ◽  
Steven Schmitt ◽  
Jill Bernstein ◽  
Paul Terpeluk ◽  
...  

We describe a healthcare worker with a previously positive tuberculin skin test result who developed active tuberculosis. An investigation revealed 280 potential contacts, 3 of whom had positive tuberculin skin test results. Our experience demonstrates the potential benefits of therapy for latent tuberculosis infection as a component of a tuberculosis-control program.


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