[Prevalence of mycobacterial infection in school children of Rio de Janeiro city (author's transl)].

Skin-test were performed in 226 students, 12 to 14 years old, in a Rio de Janeiro elementary school using PPD-Rt23, PPD-G210 and PPD-B. The differential tuberculin test using these three antigens showed that 24,3% of the children presented a stronger reaction for non-tuberculous mycobacterial tuberculins than to PPD-Rt23, suggesting that infections with such organisms may occur. A high proportion (74,5%) showed the strongest reaction with PPD-G210 and probably this antigen is the most interesting to be used simultaneously with PPD-Rt23. Children with the largest tuberculin reaction to PPD-Rt23 represented 27,4% of the total. This group consists of individuals who have had a tuberculous infection. The third group (48,3%) provided evidence for a heterogeneous sensitization with the tubercle bacillus and at least one atypical mycobacteria.