BCG, tuberculin skin-test results and asthma prevalence in school children in North London.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether there is any relationship between asthma prevalence and BCG immunization or tuberculin skin text reaction.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Secondary school in Haringey, North London, U.K.


METHODS
780 children aged 11-18 years (median 13.35 years).


METHODS
Administration of tuberculin skin text and questionnaire.


METHODS
Diagnosis of asthma, presence of nocturnal cough, exercise-induced wheeze or wheeze with viral respiratory infections; diameter of induration with tuberculin skin text; history of BCG immunization.


RESULTS
57 of 629 children (8.5%) had a significantly positive Mantoux reaction (>or=15 millimeters of induration). Children with and without a history of BCG immunization did not differ significantly in prevalence of asthma diagnosis (11.8% vs 14.1%, p > 0.6), exercise-induced wheeze (16.9% vs 21.2%, p>0.4), viral induced wheeze (15.4% vs 7%, p>0.6) or nocturnal cough (32.3% vs 32.7%, p> 0.6). We also found no significant correlation of the prevalence of asthma diagnosis or symptoms with diameter of Mantoux test reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence of an effect of BCG immunization or tuberculin reactivity on the incidence of asthma in secondary school children in Haringey, North London and the exposure to tuberculosis is high in these children.
Pahari
A
A
Academic Department of Child Health, St. Ann s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. amipahari@ukgateway.net
Welch
S
S
Lingam
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014374:Tuberculin Test
D001500:BCG Vaccine