[Tuberculin skin testing in students of school of nursing].

Tuberculin skin testing in students of the School of Nursing Attached to National Hiroshima Hospital was analyzed. On initial test using 0.05 microgram of PPDs, diameter of erythema in 26.7% of 300 new students were less than 9 mm. Twelve of 24 who were tested by two-step method reacted more than 10 mm on the second test. Twenty-seven non-reactors who were vaccinated with BCG all reacted more than 10 mm after 9 to 16 weeks after vaccination. They might be vaccinated in the past by insufficient technique and better be revaccinated. Thirty-one of 49 students who graduated in 1998 were tested and their reactions were compared with those on entrance or after BCG vaccination. The two tests were spaced 31 to 34 months apart. The reactions were weakened in the cases after BCG vaccination, and in those who were not vaccinated on entrance, only a little booster effect were observed, except in 3 graduates whose reactions were significantly boosted and thought to be infected while in school. As there is considerable variation in tuberculin reactivity after BCG vaccination, diameter of reaction should be kept on personal health record as base line reaction to diagnose tuberculous infection henceforce.