Who should be screened for TB?

• Published in: Postgraduate medicine Vol. 111; no. 4; p. 131
• Main Author: Lazarus, Angeline A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.04.2002; JTE Multimedia
• Subjects: Humans; Patient Selection; Tuberculin Test; Tuberculosis - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0032-5481; 1941-9260
• DOI: 10.3810/pgm.2002.04.1180

A: The tuberculin skin test is the only test widely used for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which now is termed latent tuberculosis infection. The specificity of the test is influenced by the prevalence of M tuberculosis infection; in low- prevalence populations, the predictive value of a positive test is poor. Recent screening recommendations of the American Thoracic Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are outlined here. The goal of screening skin testing is to identify people or groups with tuberculosis (TB) in order to initiate appropriate management. To accomplish this goal and keep false-positive skin test results to a minimum, the recommendation is to perform target testing of people at risk of exposure to or infection with TB. Target testing is aimed at groups in high-prevalence areas and those at high risk for TB.1,2 (Reference)