The association between delayed type hypersensitivity reaction to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atopy in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND

It has been postulated that there is an inverse association between mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and atopy. We aimed to investigate if there is a similar relation in our study group, consisting 252 asthmatic children.

METHODS

In tuberculin testing indurations greater than or equal to 5 mm were accepted as positive. The most common aeroallergens were used in skin prick testing and reactions > or = 3 mm were accepted as positive.

RESULTS

In 139 patients PPD was negative, where as in 113 patients PPD was positive. Among the PPD (-) patients skin prick test was positive in 64 % (n = 89). Among the PPD (+) patients skin prick test was positive in 71 % (n = 80). As the two groups were compared for having positive skin prick test reactions no statistically significant difference was detected between them (p = 0.283).

CONCLUSIONS

Tuberculin reactivity is not inversely associated with atopy in asthmatic children.