False-Positive TST Results in U.S. Soldiers

From 1983 through 2005, eight pseudoepidemics of tuberculin skin-test conversions occurred in U.S. Army populations.

Tuberculin skin test (TST) results must be interpreted with caution. Potential sources of error include variability in administering the test or in reading or recording the results, cross-reactivity with nontuberculous mycobacteria, and product-related factors. Because the proportion of false-positive results is increased in populations with a low prevalence of TB infection, the CDC has recommended targeted TST testing in high-risk groups. Since 2003, U.S. Army policy has mandated TST screening for all personnel deployed to global regions where the rate of active TB is high. However, data suggest that the risk for TB infection among deployed U.S. Army personnel is probably very low, even for these regions.

Investigators recently reported eig…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

False-Positive TST Results in U.S. Soldiers

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Reviewing Author