A study of tuberculin test (PPD) in Municipality street cleaners in Sari city in 1994

Background and

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease, and its epidemiologic study in risk group people plays important role in controlling of this disease. This study was conducted to determine the purified protein Derivatives (PPD) reaction in Municipality street cleaners which is a T.B. diagnostic method.

Ïn this descriptive study municipality street cleaners were under studying, because of being high risk group on the basis of their job status, awareness of T.B spreading, economic condition and the high number of households. The clinical trials and laboratory test including PPD was done. Ând appearance of induration more than 10 mm diameter was considered positive.

Ïn this study 160 street cleaners of mean 44 ± 8 age group were under studying, out of which 43(39%) had positive PPD response and 41(91%) of them showed induration of 10-15 mm, 4(9%) showed induration of more than 15 mm. The smear preparation of sputum of all the street cleaners was negative for tubercle bacilli. Ând chest X-ray of them did not show any lesion of the lungs. Çonclusion: This bacterium is persistant in the region due to geological condition and bacterial characteristics. Â proper health education program me for prevention of the spread of the disease can be important for the health improvement of the society.