B.C.G. versus tuberculin test in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

A study to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the B.C.G. and tuberculin tests (T.T) in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in infancy and childhood was conducted on 287 children - 50 definite cases of tuberculosis, 30 possible cases and 207 selected at random. The latter group was again divided into 3 subgroups on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. These two tests were also compared in malnourished children. The B.C.G. test appeared to be more sensitive and specific than the T.T in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis, even in the presence of malnutrition. The appearance of induration within 24 hours, its persistence for 72 hours or more and an area of induration 5 mm, or more in diameter are important criteria of positivity of the B.C.G. test.