Two-step tuberculin skin testing of injection drug users recruited from community-based settings.

SETTING

Cross-sectional study of drug users recruited from street-based settings in four US cities: Denver, Portland, Oakland and San Francisco.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate responses to two-step tuberculin skin testing among HIV-positive and HIV-negative injection drug users.

DESIGN

Subjects were recruited from existing studies of HIV and risk behaviors for tuberculin skin testing. Those with a negative initial tuberculin test were referred for a second skin test 1-3 weeks later. A positive tuberculin test was defined as > or = 10 mm, or > or = 5 mm if the subject was HIV-positive.

RESULTS

Of 997 persons receiving an initial tuberculin test, 13% had a positive response. Of 644 persons receiving a second tuberculin test, 8% had a positive response, with rates as high as 14% among those from Oakland and 12% among African Americans. HIV-positive subjects were less likely to have skin test responses > or = 10 mm on the initial test (P = 0.03), or increases between the initial and second test of > or = 10 mm (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Boosting occurred in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative injection drug users. Two-step testing should be considered for this population, particularly those on whom repeat tuberculin testing will be performed.