The pattern of age-specific tuberculin hypersensitivity in two groups of South African schoolchildren.
In epidemiological studies on tuberculosis we have observed a decrease in the prevalence of positive tuberculin reactions around the age of 13. This decrease was apparent in a variety of populations studied. Statistical analysis of the tuberculin testing data demonstrates the significance of the decrease in the proportion of positive reactors at age 13 and also of a reduction in size of reactions. The possibility of suppression of the delayed hypersensitivity reaction at about puberty is considered.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis; D011627:Puberty; D013019:South Africa; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology