Latent tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents in Russia.

Background: After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in children 15-17 years of age increased in the Russian Federation from 16 per 100 000 population in 1992 to 37 per 100 000 in 2009, and new control measures were implemented.

Methods: Children were screened annually for TB exposure with a tuberculin skin test (TST) at age 1-8 years. If positive, they were investigated for active TB.