AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC COMPARATIVE STUDY IN DELAWARE OF TINE AND MANTOUX TESTS

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Abstract
A co-operative comparative study of the Mantoux and tine tests in a migrant population in Delaware was undertaken, using a protocol for the study of comparative skin-testing techniques as designed by the Diagnostic Skin-Testing Committee of the American Thoracic Society. The percentage of positive tine reactors (2 mm or more of induration) was more than twice that of the positive PPD-S [purified protein derivative standard] re-reaciors (5 mm or more of induration). More than 20 percent of the itinerants reacted positively to PPD-G [purified protein derivative Gause] revealing that scotochromogens may be an important source of the sensitivity in this special population group. A comparison of the positive tine reactors with the positive PPD-S reactors gave an agreement of 97 percent. However, the agreement among negative reactors was only 77 percent. In nearly 20 percent of the subjects in which positive tine reactions were observed, the concomitant PPD-S reactions were negative. Although the disparity in the comparability of the negative reactions between the 2 tests increased directly with age, there was good agreement between the negative and positive reactions in the young age groups between 3 mo. and 18 yr. of age. The tine test is a useful epidemiologic tool for screening large population groups comprised of school age children and of young adults. Different population groups must be considered in the interpretation of the skin-testing results.