title: Prevalence of purified protein derivative positivity in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the prevalence of skin positivity to purified protein derivative (PPD) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive clients of an HIV clinic were administered the PPD test and 2 units of PPD-RT23 were used. The area of induration was then measured in 48 to 72 h. Results were related to patient characteristics and HIV-related parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight (17.0%) out of 47 clients tested positive to the administration of 2 units of PPD-RT23. If the cutoff were raised to 10 mm according to current practice, only two (4.3%) would test positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of PPD positivity in HIV-infected patients in Hong Kong is 17%, when a cutoff of 5 mm is used. This figure may form the basis for further studies on the utility of isoniazid preventive therapy in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: AIDS Unit, Department of Health, 9/F Integrated Treatment Centre, 9 Kai Yan Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China. kewchan@health.gen.gov.hk
authors.forename: Kenny Chiwai
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Henry Waiki
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kahing
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007538:Isoniazid