Interferon-γ and skin test responses of schoolchildren in southeast England to purified protein derivatives fromMycobacterium tuberculosisand other species of mycobacteria
Year: 2003
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The immune responses of schoolchildren in southeast England to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other species of mycobacteria were studied prior to vaccination with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data are presented for tuberculin (Heaf) skin test and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses to M. tuberculosis purified protein derivative (PPD), and IFN-gamma responses to PPDs from eight other environmental mycobacteria, measured in 424 schoolchildren (13-15 years of age). Responses to M. tuberculosis PPD were detected in 27% of schoolchildren by in vitro IFN-gamma response and in 20% by the Heaf test. IFN-gamma responses were more prevalent to PPDs from species of mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis, predominantly those of the MAIS complex and M. marinum (45-60% responders). Heaf test and IFN-gamma responses were associated (P<0.001) for M. tuberculosis, MAIS and M. marinum. These findings have implications for appropriate implementation of vaccination against tuberculosis.
Authors: R E WEIR, P E M FINE, B NAZARETH, S FLOYD, G F BLACK, E KING, C STANLEY, L BLISS, K BRANSON, H M DOCKRELL
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2023908280