Abstract
The author presents the results of some studies on tuberculin sensitivity that were carried out in Netherlands New Guinea in connexion with the WHO/UNICEF-assisted BCG-vaccination programme which was introduced there in May 1956.
The data obtained suggest that non-specific sensitivity to tuberculin is rather widespread in the country and that most of the medium-sized reactions (diameter of induration, 12-14 mm) to the conventional 5 TU Mantoux test are probably caused by infection with allergy-producing organisms other than tubercle bacilli. The implications of these findings with regard to both tuberculin testing and BCG vaccination in areas where such non-specific sensitivity is common are discussed.
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Selected References
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