Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00756808

Is Tuberculin Skin Testing Effective in Screening for Latent Tuberculosis (TB) in Elderly Residents of Nursing Homes?

In face of the increased rates of tuberculosis in residents of long term care facilities, annual screening for latent tuberculosis is recommended. Tuberculin skin testing using purified protein derivative (PPD) is used for this purpose. Sensitivity of the PPD testing is, however, dependent on a normal T cell function. It is now evident that the immune system undergoes age-associated alteration known as immune senescence. The depressed T-cell responses may clinically manifest as attenuated delayed-type hypersensitivity. This attenuated reaction may affect the sensitivity of the PPD in detection of latent TB in the elderly.

This prospective study will examine the utility of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) based assay, T-SPOT.TB, for detection of latent tuberculosis in nursing home patients who are 65 years of age or older.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Tuberculosis Actinomycetales Infections Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections Infections Mycobacterium Infections

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Staten Island University Hospital

Staten Island, New York, 10305, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 65 years of age and older
  • No ulcerating or blistering skin disorder
  • No previous history of adverse reaction to PPD testing
  • No blood transfusion within 6 weeks prior to enrollment
  • If the participant had a PPD placed and read by a public health department representative within the last 6 months, repeat PPD will not be done, but the person may participate in the study
  • Participant may have been Bacille de Calmette et Guerin (BCG)-vaccinated

Exclusion criteria

  • Less than 65 years
  • Not a resident of a long term care facility
  • Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
  • blood transfusion within 6 weeks of enrollment
  • Prior diagnosis of immune deficiency

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. detection of latent TB

    Time frame: 2 years

Interested in participating?

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwell Health

Other

Collaborators

  • Staten Island University Hospital

Registry information

Official study title

Is Tuberculin Skin Testing Effective in Screening for Latent TB in Elderly Residents of Nursing Homes? Comparison With a New IFN-y Based Assay

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Sep 22, 2008
Registry last updated
Feb 7, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.