Interferon-γ and skin test responses of schoolchildren in southeast England to purified protein derivatives fromMycobacterium tuberculosisand other species of mycobacteria

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Abstract
The immune responses of schoolchildren in southeast England to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other species of mycobacteria were studied prior to vaccination with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data are presented for tuberculin (Heaf) skin test and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses to M. tuberculosis purified protein derivative (PPD), and IFN-gamma responses to PPDs from eight other environmental mycobacteria, measured in 424 schoolchildren (13-15 years of age). Responses to M. tuberculosis PPD were detected in 27% of schoolchildren by in vitro IFN-gamma response and in 20% by the Heaf test. IFN-gamma responses were more prevalent to PPDs from species of mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis, predominantly those of the MAIS complex and M. marinum (45-60% responders). Heaf test and IFN-gamma responses were associated (P<0.001) for M. tuberculosis, MAIS and M. marinum. These findings have implications for appropriate implementation of vaccination against tuberculosis.

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