title: [Diagnostic value of the intradermal tuberculin reaction in the adult, in Zaire].
abstract: Tuberculin tests were carried out on 400 adults with established tuberculosis and 200 apparently healthy adults. There was no significant difference in the tuberculin reactivity amongst those tuberculous patients who were clinically in a poor state and the control group. On the other hand the former reacted less than those tuberculous patients whose general physical state was normal and the difference was significant. Overall 23.75% of the tuberculous patients had negative reactions. Women were less reactive than men. The tuberculin allergy decreased with both age and the extent of tuberculous disease. There was no significant variation in the diameter of the skin test as a function of the number of Koch's bacilli. In tuberculous lymphadenopathy we noted a stronger allergy than in tuberculous disease of other parts of the body. There is a positive correlation between the tuberculin reaction and the Serum Albumin level. Associated morbidity (eg infestations, anaemia, malaria, intestinal schistosomiasis and malnutrition) reduce the tuberculin reaction. These observations reduce the diagnostic value of the intra-dermal tuberculin reaction in our environment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin
vernacular_title: Valeur diagnostique de l'intradermo-réaction tuberculinique chez l'adulte au Zaïre.