[Comparison of skin reactions (Mantoux) made with 2 common tuberculins in Switzerland: diagnostic and epidemiologic implications].

Simultaneous tuberculin skin tests (Mantoux) with the two products used in Switzerland (both from RT 23) were compared in 36 individuals. The results show a wide range of scatter with a very poor correlation coefficient. Out of these 36 subjects - of whom 12 had tuberculosis-with positive skin test with one tuberculin, only 11 had a positive result with the other, the mean diameter of the latter being 50% lower. These findings make interpretation of the national tuberculin cadaster hazardous and also render proper diagnosis in individual cases very difficult if the two tuberculins are used. As in other countries, only one tuberculin should be used on the national scale, in order to provide comparable epidemiological data and guarantee better individual diagnosis.