CUTANEOUS REACTIONS TO UNCLASSIFIED MYCOBACTERIAL ANTIGENS - A STUDY OF CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLD CONTACT WITH PATIENTS WHO EXCRETE UNCLASSIFIED MYCOBACTERIA

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Abstract
Tests of 201 household contacts from 6 months to 18 years of age were made for hypersensltivity to antigens homologous in group with the Mycobacterium excreted by the adult index case. Both the index cases and the contacts of Groups II and III were small in number. Forty per cent of the contacts with Group I index cases reacted with indurations greater than 5 mm to the homologous antigens, older children showing a higher rate of reaction than younger children. The total reaction rate was approximately twice that of the control subjects. While cross reactions were observed among all antigens, the primary reaction was usually sufficiently large to prevent confusion. Evidence is offered for the specificity of Group I antigen. The persistence of reaction to unclassified mycobacterial antigens has been observed for a period of 12 to 18 months. During this period a number of conversions to positive reactions occurred in previously negative children in both contact families and in those without homologous contact. Evidence is not conclusive in regard to person-to-person transmission.

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