008. Prevalence of TB infection in Greek first—grade primary school students during the last 15 years

Objective: To monitor the changing prevalence of latent TB infection in first-grade primary school students over the last 15 years [1998-2013] in the county of Kavala in Greece, we recorded the Tuberculosis index (TB index) which represented the percentage of the population with a positive Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST).

Methods: The TST was performed in 8,671 6-year-old first-grade primary school students in the county of Kavala during a national TB screening campaign. Purified Phymatin Derivative (0.5 UI/0.1 mL/Pasteur Institute) was intradermally injected in the volar aspect of the children’s forearm. After 48 hours the TST was interpreted mainly by palpation, measuring only the induration and not the erythema. A positive TST was recorded when the diameter of the induration was ≥10 mm, transversely to the long axis of the forearm.

Results: The TB index of the last fifteen years averaged 0.081. The highest value (0.56) was recorded during the school year 1999-2000.

Conclusions: After detailed data analysis, a progressive reduction of the TB index was recorded which represented a reduction of the incidence of latent TB infection in the primary school students’ population of the county of Kavala. All children with a positive Mantoux test were referred to the Department of Pediatrics of our General Hospital for further examinations, including their house hold and close contacts, which proved negative for active disease at that time. The Statistical Analysis of children may prove useful in making estimates of the incidence and future trends of TB infection in the general population.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; students; spirometry