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.

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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

detection of latent TB

Time frame: 2 years

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.

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

Completed