Tuberculin skin testing. Can it contain the impending tuberculosis epidemic?
Tuberculosis is on the increase around the globe. Practicing physicians must be vigilant in identifying persons at risk and those who are infected with tubercle bacilli so isoniazid prophylaxis can be promptly instituted. The tuberculin skin test is a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive method of diagnosing infection; it should be used routinely and not reserved for high-risk patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for interpreting results depending on the size of induration and presence of risk factors.
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Department of Family Medicine and Pediatrics, Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, California 93305-4197.
D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014481:United States