Abstract

The evaluation of the close contacts of tuberculosis patients are important because of the high risk for disease. In this study we investigate 223 close contacts of tuberculosis patients for 6 months. Of the close contacts of tuberculosis patients 152 (68.1%) had used preventive chemotherapy (PC) and 8 (%3.6) had active tuberculosis. In the first evaluation of all the close contacts, 4 (1.8%) had active tuberculosis, 137 (61.5%) had used PC and 82 (36.7%) were called to control. Active tuberculosis was assessed in 1 (1.2%) and PC were begun in 9 (11.0%) who were called to control because of the positive tuberculin skin test (TT) or progression of the TT at the 3rd month. Active tuberculosis was assessed in 3 (4.2%) and PC was begun in 6 (8.3%) at the 6th month. Hundred and seventeen (75.0%) persons had positive TT and 39 (25.0%) persons had negative TT above the 15 years of age of the close contact people. PC were given to 71 (60.7%) and 44 (35.4%) were called to control who had positive TT. PC was given to 2 (4.5%) at the 3rd month and in 4 (9.8%) at the 6th month who were called to control. PC was given to 7 (17.9%) at the first control, 6 (20.0%) at the 3rd month and 3 (12.5%) at the 6th month in TT negative close contact tuberculosis patients. At results, active tuberculosis was not seen in people who used PC, however active tuberculosis was assessed in 4.9% of close contacts and PC could be given in 18.3% who did not used PC. Therefore, we suggest PC scheme in adult close contacts of tuberculosis patients which is used in our country must be reevaluation.