title: Comparative study of RT23 and Merieux tuberculin tested among healthy volunteers.
abstract: METHODS
  Several studies have indicated considerable variability in the biological results of different tuberculin preparations in different geographical areas or even within a single region.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the biological potency of two different tuberculins.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed simultaneous testing with RT23 and Merieux tuberculin in a group of 546 Police Academy students in Athens to compare reactions to both tuberculins. The students were divided into three groups according to their year of training; the participants in each group were tested using the Mantoux method simultaneously with the two tuberculins in different concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a 10 mm cut-off point for a positive tuberculin skin test, positive reactions to RT23 and Merieux were highly correlated. No statistically significant difference was established. The results indicated significant superiority of the size of the reaction with RT23 tuberculin (P = 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both tuberculins appear to have equivalent potency, with RT23 more frequently producing reactions of larger sizes.
authors.affiliation: Tuberculosis Department, Resistant Tuberculosis Unit, Sotiria General Regional Chest Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sgountzos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simopoulou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kretsou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakayianni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pavlerou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gourgoulianis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grigorakos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014373:Tuberculin