[Active tuberculosis case finding among immigrants in Barcelona].

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of tuberculous infection and disease in recent economic immigrants in Barcelona. SUBJECTS AND METHOD Examination and testing of immigrants. Tuberculin tests (TTs) were given and the presence of scars from tuberculosis vaccinations were noted. Thresholds of 5 and 15 mm were established for positivity in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, respectively. RESULTS A total of 3651 persons were examined, but only 3151 completed the study. Eighteen were diagnosed with tuberculosis (571.2 per 100,000) and 50.6% were classified as positive TT reactors, 34.4% because of infection and 16.3% possibly because of tuberculosis vaccination. The percentage of reactors was significantly higher in the sample of economic immigrants than in the local population. Age, male sex, place of origin, greater poverty, and higher prevalence of disease in the country of origin were associated with tuberculous infection in the sample. DISCUSSION Active case finding proved efficient. Interference from tuberculosis vaccination greatly affects the findings, depending on the positivity threshold that is established. We recommend that chest radiographs be used in addition to TTs. Immigration will change the nature of endemic tuberculosis in Spain, and strategies should be specifically designed to deal with the new challenges that will appear.