Latent tuberculosis infection in draft aged young men

Abstract

Evaluation of latent tuberculosis infection based on the results of skin test with a recombinant tuberculosis allergen (RTA) in men aged 15–17 linked to care at TB dispensary, and influence of epidemiological and clinical signs on immunological test intensity were studied. The results of RTA tests of 96 adolescents (main group — 57 (59.4%) young men, and comparison group — 39 (40.6%) girls) followed up at St Petersburg Tuberculosis Dispensary no. 5 from 2017 through 2019 were evaluated. In the main group the average size of RTA test was 9.25±6.5 mm. 15 young men (26.3%) had hyperergic tests — 17.4±2.3; 16 (28.1%) — pronounced positive (11.2±1.5); 11 (19.3%) — moderately positive (6.5±1.4); 4 (7.0%) — slightly positive (3.25±1.0); and 11 (19.3%) — negative. For girls the mean value of the RTA tests was 9.8±7.3 mm: hyperergic — 17.3±3.4 (12; 30.8%) pronounced positive — 12.2±1.5 (11; 28.2%), moderately positive — 8,2±1.4 (4; 10.3%); no slightly positive tests; negative tests — 12 (30.8%). 11 (19.3%) young men had chronic accompanying diseases and their tests were hyperergic (5) and pronounced positive (4). 19 (33.3%) young men and 17 (43.6%) girls had contact with TB patients: 12 (26.7%) young men grew up in single-parent families and these cases were with hyperergic and pronounced positive RTA tests. 9 girls had an incomplete family: 2 of them were with hyperergic, 5 — pronounced positive, 2 — moderately positive tests. Draft aged young men with latent tuberculosis infection should comprise a group of especially strict diagnostics and treatment in view of their further possible conscription into military service