Tuberculosis infection versus anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy: screening challenges in psoriatic patients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the performance of the tuberculin skin test (TST) for screening and monitoring patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, in a high-incidence area. METHODS: A 3-year retrospective study was carried out on 268 subjects. The study included 68 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, screened for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and subjects without psoriasis (100 adults and 100 children) with close contact with infected individuals. RESULTS: Positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results (induration >5 mm) were observed in 70.5% (48/68) of patients with psoriasis, higher than those observed in subjects with suspicion of tuberculosis or with close contact with infected individuals: 51% (51/100) in the adult group and 30% (30/100) in the children group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the prevalence of LTBI evaluated with the TST in the psoriatic group is higher than in subjects without psoriasis. LIMITATION: The positive reactions were not confirmed by other verification methods.