| Popis: |
With tuberculosis (TB) rates of over 160/100,000 in 1997, Ciutat Vella District, Barcelona, is the main community focus of TB in the city. For the purpose of TB screening, 415 children2 years old from that district received a tuberculin skin test (TST); 27 (6.6%) (95%CI 4.5-9.3) were found to be infected but disease-free. The frequency of a positive TST increased significantly with age, from 0% in the 2-4 year age group to 14.6% in 10-14 year olds. Three culture-positive source adults, two of them sputum smear-positive, who were not previously known were traced from six TST-positive children. Previous BCG vaccination was not associated with a positive TST. These data support the use of universal TST screening in children living in Ciutat Vella District, Barcelona, as a means of identifying and treating TB cases. |
