Accelerated BCG response: diagnostic value among adults in an endemic area

ABSTRACT

To evaluate Accelerated BCG as screening test for active and inactive tuberculosis among adults in an endemic area. A prospective study on 59 consecutive cases of tuberculosis, among these 46 newly diagnosed [active] and 13 who had received chemotherapy and declared cured [inactive]. Setting Department of Pulmonology Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Serial skin changes to intradermal BCG vaccine. Accelerated skin response to BCG vaccine was observed among all the cases belonging to both active or inactive group. Accelerated BCG skin reaction cannot differentiate between active tuberculosis from previous exposure or inactive disease. Negative reaction may be more valuable