[Tuberculin sensitivity to purified protein derivatives (PPD) from M. intracellulare (PPD-B), M. kansasii (PPD-Y), M. fortuitum (PPD-Y) and M. tuberculosis (PPDs) among healthy volunteers].

To reveal the epidemiology of mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Japan, we tested 379 healthy volunteers from Self Defence Force Army stationed in Hiroshima Prefecture with 0.05mcg of PPDs, 0.1mcg of PPD-B, PPD-Y and PPD-F. Majority of the volunteers had been immunized with BCG by thirteen years old. Rate of positive reaction (diameter of redness > or = 10mm) in each PPD in each age group were; PPDs [18-19yr (n = 39); 30.8%, 20-29yr (n = 178); 63.5%, 30-39yr (n = 78); 91.0%, 40-53yr (n = 84); 92.9%], PPD-B [12.8%, 24.7%, 38.5%, 48.8%], PPD-Y [5.1%, 14.6%, 26.9%, 26.2%], PPD-F [0%, 10.1%, 12.8%, 10.7%]. Frequency distribution curve of PPDs in age groups above 20 years old had a peak at about 14mm of diameter, while low-responder were dominant in age 18 to 19. In PPD-B, there were two peaks, one in less than 5mm and the other between 10 to 15mm which was considered as the group sensitized by M. avium complex and became larger in older age group. In PPD-Y and in PPD-F, the frequency distribution showed an exponential curve with a little shift to right in older group in PPD-Y. As there was a considerable degree of cross-sensitivity, we provisionally regarded the maximum reaction of four PPD (larger than 5mm) or the reaction which is 75 per cent or more of each person's maximum reaction as specific.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)