[Tuberculin test in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis: Analysis of quantitative and qualitative features]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the tuberculin test in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. METHODS: Test diagnosis study; Tuberculin test with PPD Rt 23 (2 UT) was performed in 158 children, distributed in 2 groups: 101 no tuberculous, BCG vaccinated children and 57 tuberculous ones (diagnosis by clinical-radiological and epidemiological features). The interpretation of the tuberculin test was made by quantitative analysis (Mantoux test) and qualitative analysis (Koch and Listeria phenomena). RESULTS: Using cutoff = 10mm in Mantoux test, we found sensitivity of 85.9% and specificity of 86.1%. The qualitative analysis (Koch phenomenon), showed sensitivity of 77.2% and specificity of 98%. CONCLUSION: The qualitative analysis of the tuberculin test was useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children, associated to the Mantoux test interpretation.