TY - JOUR T1 - Preliminary guidelines for diagnosing and treating tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in immunosuppressive trials or being treated with biological agents JF - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO - Ann Rheum Dis SP - ii62 LP - ii63 DO - 10.1136/ard.61.suppl_2.ii62 VL - 61 IS - suppl 2 AU - D E Furst AU - J Cush AU - S Kaufmann AU - J Siegel AU - R Kurth Y1 - 2002/11/01 UR - http://ard.bmj.com/content/61/suppl_2/ii62.abstract N2 - Definition Clinically suspicious circumstances associated with bacteriological positivity, using standard techniques and including resistance testing when feasible. Note: This does not apply to children, where AFB culture may be negative. Action: 4 Drug treatment Class A Evidence Definition Requires both “1” and “2”: 1 No signs or symptoms but in the presence of any of the following risk factors:HIV infectionPrevious close tuberculosis contactGhon complex or other typical chest radiographic findings. The significance of scarring is unknown but is dependent on concomitant clinical signs and/or symptoms.Immunosuppressed host or patient on immunosuppressive therapyUnderlying disease that predisposes to tuberculosis reactivation such as diabetes, cirrhosis, or alcoholism 2 A positive PPD—(intermediate strength, irrespective of past BCG use). “For persons with HIV infection, who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy, who have had recent close contact with persons with infectious tuberculosis or who have abnormal chest radiographs consistent with prior tuberculosis, 5 mm of induration is considered positive. For other persons … ER -