[Tuberculin susceptibility and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children].

Tuberculin susceptibility was studied from the Mantoux test with 2TE in 253 children aged 14 years and during all previous years of their life. Positive tests were recorded in 72.4% of cases; doubtful tests were in 6.7%, and negative ones in 20.9%. Infection was diagnosed in 33.9 +/- 2.9%. The annual conversion of tubercular tests was 2.2 +/- 0.05%. Positive Mantoux tests with 2TE caused by the administration of BCG vaccine were observed in 45.1%, in most cases, due to persistent allergy after neonatal vaccination. The authors convince of the necessity of regularly making a tuberculin test and qualitative tuberculosis vaccines when clinically indicated.