Fact Sheet
Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Interpreting Tuberculin Skin Test Results
Introduction
Targeted tuberculin testing is used to focus program activities, provider practices, and financial resources on groups at the highest risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Once TB disease has been ruled out, those who would benefit from treatment of LTBI should be offered this option regardless of their age.
Every effort should be made to test only those persons at the highest risk, interpret tuberculin skin test (TST) reactions accurately, and ensure appropriate treatment and completion of the recommended regimen.
Persons at Risk for Developing TB Disease
Generally, persons at high risk for developing TB disease fall into two categories: those who have been recently infected, and those with clinical conditions that increase the risk of progression from LTBI to TB disease.
Recent infection should be suspected in the following:
- Close contacts of a person with infectious TB
- Persons who have immigrated from areas of the world with high rates of TB
- Children < 5 years of age who have a positive TST result
- Recent converters (those with an increase of 10 mm or more in size of TST reaction within a 2-year period)
- Groups with high rates of M. tuberculosis transmission, such as homeless persons, injection drug users, and persons with HIV infection
- Persons who work or reside with people who are at high risk for TB in facilities or institutions such as hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and residential homes for those with HIV
Clinical conditions that increase the risk of progression from LTBI to TB disease:
- HIV infection
- Radiographic evidence of prior TB
- Low body weight (> 10% below ideal)
- Silicosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic renal failure or being on hemodialysis
- Gastrectomy
- Jejunoileal bypass
- Solid organ transplant
- Head and neck cancer
- Prolonged use of immunosuppressive agents (e.g., prednisone, TNF-α antagonists)
Criteria for Classifying Positive TST Reactions
Reaction of > 5 mm of induration is considered positive in
- HIV-infected persons
- Recent contacts of infectious TB cases
- Persons with fibrotic changes on chest radiograph consistent with prior TB
- Organ transplant recipients
- Persons who are immunosuppressed for other reasons (e.g., taking the equivalent of >15 mg/day of prednisone for 1 month or more, taking TNF-α antagonists)
Reaction of > 10 mm of induration is considered positive in
- Recent immigrants (within last 5 years) from a high-prevalence countries
- Injection drug users
- Residents or employees of high-risk congregate settings
- Mycobacteriology laboratory personnel
- Children < 4 years of age, or children or adolescents exposed to adults at high risk
- Persons with clinical conditions previously mentioned
Reaction of > 15 mm of induration is considered positive in
- Persons with no known risk factors for TB*
* Although skin testing programs should be conducted only among high-risk groups, certain individuals may require TST for employment or school attendance. An approach independent of risk assessment is not recommended by CDC or the American Thoracic Society.
Special Considerations
Questions often arise about the interpretation of TST results in persons with a history of Bacille Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccine, HIV infection, and recent contacts to an infectious TB case.
BCG vaccine is currently used in many parts of the world to protect infants and children from severe TB disease, especially TB meningitis. It does not confer lifelong immunity, and its significance in persons receiving the TST causes confusion in the medical and lay community.
- History of BCG vaccine is NOT a contraindication for tuberculin testing
- TST reactivity caused by BCG vaccine generally wanes with time
- If more than 5 years have elapsed since administration of BCG vaccine, a positive TST reaction is most likely a result of M. tuberculosis infection
Persons who are HIV infected have a much greater risk for progression to TB disease if they have LTBI.
- Individuals with HIV infection may be unable to mount an immune response to the TST and may have false-negative TST results
- Usefulness of anergy testing in TST-negative persons who are HIV infected has not been demonstrated
Persons with a postive TST result who are contacts of an individual with infectious TB should be treated regardless of age.
- Some TST-negative persons should also be considered for treatment (i.e., young children, immunosuppressed)
- Repeat TST in 8–12 weeks if initial test result is negative. A delayed-type hypersensitivity response to tuberculin is detected 2–12 weeks after infection
References
- ATS/CDC.
Targeted
tuberculin testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection.
MMWR 2000;49 (No. RR- 6). - ATS/CDC.
Update:
Adverse Event Data and Revised American Thoracic Society/CDC Recommendations
Against the Use of Rifampin and Pyrazinamide for Treatment of
Latent Tuberculosis Infection.
MMWR 2003; 52 (No. 31). - CDC.
Tuberculosis
Associated with Blocking Agents Against Tumor Necrosis Factor
- Alpha - California, 2002–2003.
MMWR 2004; 53 (No. 30). - ATS/CDC.
Treatment
of tuberculosis.
MMWR 2003; 52(No. RR-11).
Additional Resources
Websites:
The following resources can be viewed and downloaded from the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/tb.
Slide Set:
Fact Sheets:
- Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Maximizing Adherence
- Treatment Options for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE)
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
MS E10
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov