Comparison of 5 IU and 10 IU tuberculin test results in patients on chronic dialysis

Immunocompromised patients such as those with end-stage kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). For this reason, routine TB screening of HD patients with tuberculin test has been recommended. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that patients with chronic renal failure should undergo annual skin testing for TB with tuberculin [purified protein derivative (PPD)])with an induration of ≥10 mm at 48 h depicting a positive reaction. The aim of this study was to compare the results of two different doses of PPD in dialysis patients. This descriptive and comparative multicenter study was performed on 255 patients on chronic dialysis in Tabriz, Iran. These patients did not have the PPD test done within the preceding one year. Patients were divided into two groups randomly and conventional or double-dose tuberculin test was performed using the Monteux technique with 5 IU (group 1) and 10 IU (group 2) of PPD. Results were interpreted 48–72 h after injection. Patients were divided into those with less than 10 mm and those with ≥ 10 mm duration. Mean age was 44.6 ± 15 years (M/F = 1.5 / 1). The mean duration on dialysis was 39 ± 7 months. There was no significant difference regarding the age, gender, and duration on dialysis, causes of chronic kidney disease, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and serum albumin between the two groups. The mean induration was 4.6 mm and 7.7 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was induration ≥ 10 mm in 19.6 % and 25.5 % of group 1 and 2, respectively, this showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). In conclusion, because of the high frequency of TB in dialysis patients, an annual tuberculin test may be recommended. Our study showed that the double-dose tuberculin test may be a better substitute to the conventional test in dialysis patients.