Tuberculin reactivity in United States and foreign-born Latinos: Results of a community-based screening program

E.J. Perez-Stable, G. Slutkin, E.A. Paz and P.C. Hopewell

American Journal of Public Health, 1986, vol. 76, issue 6, 643-646

Abstract: Because of the concern that we were underestimating the prevalence of tuberculosis within the Latino community in San Francisco, we undertook a community-based screening program directed largely towards recent immigrants. Of 1,871 intermediate-strength (5 TU) tuberculin tests applied and read, 37 per cent of the reactions were ≥10 mm. Significant reactions were found in 53 per cent of foreign-born persons compared to 7 per cent of those born in the United States. Persons older than 20 years of age were more likely to have significant reactions compared to younger Latinos. Among the foreign-born, the frequency of significant reactions was not influenced by the length of stay in the US or a history of BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerain) vaccination. Two foreign-born children were found to have current tuberculosis. The prevalence of tuberculin reactors among US-born Latino children was 3 per cent, which suggests that undetected transmission of tuberculosis may be occurring. We conclude that Latino immigrants should be systematically screened for tuberculosis.

Date: 1986
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1986:76:6:643-646_3

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