Tuberculosis Control Program — TB Skin Test Classification
In March 1998, the South Dakota TB Elimination Advisory Committee unanimously voted to reduce the TB skin testing classification in South Dakota to the following criteria:
> 5 mm induration is considered positive for:
- Close contacts
- HIV infected persons
- Persons with chest X-rays suggestive of previous TB
- Persons with organ transplants and other immunosuppressed patients
> 10 mm induration is considered positive for:
- All other patients regardless of risk factors
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This change is based on the following criteria:
- It will simplify the interpretation and classification of TB skin tests.
- There is a relative low prevalence of non-tuberculin Mycobacterium species in South Dakota (i.e. Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii).
- The 5-year trend of decreasing TB incidence permits a lower screening threshold to increase sensitivity.
Therefore the South Dakota Department of Health and the South Dakota Tuberculosis Elimination Advisory Committee recommend adoption of the above TB skin testing criteria by health-care personnel. Questions regarding the interpretation of TB skin tests may be directed to Kristin Rounds, Tuberculosis Control Program Coordinator at the South Dakota Department of Health in Pierre (605) 773-3737 or 1-800-592-1861.
