Inverse association between positive tuberculin tests and positive allergy skin tests in children

  • Nur Rochmah
  • Dyahris Kuntartiwi
  • Anang Endaryanto
  • Aryanto Harsono
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi49.1.2009.7-10
Keywords: allergy, skin test, tuberculin test, inversed association

Abstract

Background  The  association between  Mycobacterium  tuberculosis
infection  and  atopy remains controversial. Reaction to tuberculosis
infection  is  mediated  by  Th-1  immune responses whereas allergic
reactions are mediated  by  Th- 2 immune response. In patients with
atopic syndrome who also suffer from tuberculosis infection,  the
Th-2  response will be suppressed  and  allergy manifestations will
decrease. Therefore, it  is  important to determine the appropriate
allergy test and to predict outcome after completing tuberculosis
treatment.
Objective  To  evaluate the influence  of  a positive tuberculin test
on  skin test results in diagnosing atopic disease.
Methods  A cross sectional study was  conducted  in  the  pediatric
allergy  outpatient  clinic, Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
between 2004  and  2007. Eighty-five patients were enrolled in
this study.  The  tuberculin test was performed  on  all patients
with allergy.  The  allergy test was carried  out  by  performing a skin
scratch test.
Results  There  was a weak inverse correlation between positive
tuberculin tests and positive allergy skin tests in children (house
dust  mite, food  and  pet  allergies).  The  correlation between a
positive  tuberculin  test  and  house  dust  mite allergy test was
r:  -0.364  (P=O.OOl;  a=O.Ol).  The  correlation  between  the
tuberculin  test  and  food allergies was  r:  -0.420  (P=O.OOl;
a=O.Ol).  The  correlation between the tuberculin test  and  pet
allergies was  r:  -0.344  (P=  0.001;  a=O.Ol).
Conclusions  A positive tuberculin test  is  weakly correlated with
positive allergy skin test results, suggesting  that  it  is  appropriate  to
do allergy skin testing even in children with a positive tuberculin
test.

Author Biographies

Nur Rochmah
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, Airlangga
University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Dyahris Kuntartiwi
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, Airlangga
University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Anang Endaryanto
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, Airlangga
University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Aryanto Harsono
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, Airlangga
University, Surabaya, Indonesia.

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Published
2009-03-01
How to Cite
1.
Rochmah N, Kuntartiwi D, Endaryanto A, Harsono A. Inverse association between positive tuberculin tests and positive allergy skin tests in children. PI [Internet]. 1Mar.2009 [cited 25Apr.2024];49(1):7-0. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/448
Issue
Vol 49 No 1 (2009): January 2009
Section
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Received 2016-09-05
Accepted 2016-09-05
Published 2009-03-01