ABSTRACT
AIM: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis infection can significantly contribute to the control of the disease. The aim of the present study was to describe the tuberculin skin test (TST) trends over a 24-year period (1990-2013) and explore the value of universal tuberculosis screening in a low-burden area. METHODS: All first graders that underwent TST during the 24-year study period (1990-2013) on the island of Crete, Greece, were retrospectively included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 82 402 children (92.3% of Greek nationality; 51.0% male) underwent TST, of whom 335 (0.41%, 95% CI 0.37-0.46) were found to have positive TST while 0.27% of the study population had a TST between 5 and 9 mm. The tuberculin index declined significantly between 1990-1994 and 2010-2013 (0.67 vs 0.26; RR 2.73, 95% CI 1.82-4.09; p < 0.0001). Positive TST result was significantly higher in the immigrant than the native group (0.66% vs 0.24%; RR 3.76 95%, CI 2.89-4.84; p < 0.0001). In the last study years, 386 children (488 native; 153 immigrant) should be tested for one to be found TST positive. CONCLUSION: Our findings question the massive tuberculin testing in low-burden areas and point to selective screening of high-risk groups.
