Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02255/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02255-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GEORGE JOHNSON,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-2255 LKK EFB P

vs.

JOSEPH SHERMAN, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On May 4, 2006, plaintiff filed a motion for a preliminary

injunction barring California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff from subjecting

him to tuberculin skin tests. By order filed July 19, 2006, the court ordered defendants to file a

response to plaintiff’s motion, and on August 3, 2006, defendants filed an opposition with

attached exhibits. 

Defendants’ Exhibit A is a declaration of A. Traquina, Chief Medical Officer at

California State Prison, Solano. In statement number 5 of his declaration, Doctor Traquina

claims that “[a] tuberculosis skin test is only [sic] test available to discover latent tuberculosis.” 

The declaration does not further explain the statement nor state the basis for the conclusion. 

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Case 2:04-cv-02255-LKK -EFB Document 55 Filed 02/15/07 Page 1 of 2
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Specifically it does not state whether it is the only medically accepted test available, or whether 

there are other alternative tests available generally but not available to the prison for some

unspecified reason. Without this information, the court cannot properly evaluate the reliability

of defendants’ assertion that plaintiff’s beliefs cannot be reasonably accommodated. The court

hereby orders defendants to submit a supplemental declaration and brief that clarifies and

explains the statement. Defendants should refer to and, if appropriate, address the following

sources, among others, regarding the QuantiFERON blood test for latent tuberculosis screening: 

1. Centers for Disease Control,

http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/tbfactsheets/250103.htm; 

2. Mazurek, G.H.; LoBue, P.A.; Daley, C.L.; et al. Comparison of a Whole-Blood

Interferon Assay With Tuberculin Skin Testing for Detecting Latent

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection. Journal of the American Medical

Association 2001; 286: 1740-1747. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that defendants are directed to file, within ten days of the

date of this order, a supplemental declaration and brief clarifying and expanding on Dr.

Traquina’s declaration, statement number 5, regarding the availability of any medically accepted

alternative tests.

Dated: February 15, 2007.

Case 2:04-cv-02255-LKK -EFB Document 55 Filed 02/15/07 Page 2 of 2