Tuberculin Test

A skin test which determines one's individual immunity to tuberculosis or reflects the degree of previous exposure to that disease. The TB skin test is performed by injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) into the skin on the lower part of the arm. A person given the tuberculin skin test must return within 48 to 72 hours to have a trained health care worker look for a reaction on the arm.

Mantoux tuberculin skin test

Mantoux tuberculin skin test

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) is one method of determining whether a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Reliable administration and reading of the TST requires standardization of procedures, training, supervision, and practice.

How is it performed?

The TST is performed by injecting 0.1 ml of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) into the inner surface of the forearm. The injection should be made with a tuberculin syringe, with the needle bevel facing upward. The TST is an intradermal injection. When placed correctly, the injection should produce a pale elevation of the skin (a wheal) 6 to 10 mm in diameter.

Reading TB skin test

The skin test reaction should be read between 48 and 72 hours after administration by a health care worker trained to read TST results. A patient who does not return within 72 hours will need to be rescheduled for another skin test.

The reaction should be measured in millimeters of the induration (firm swelling). The reader should not measure erythema (redness). The diameter of the indurated area should be measured across the forearm (perpendicular to the long axis).

Interpreting TB skin test

Skin test interpretation depends on two factors:

• Measurement in millimeters of the induration
• Person’s risk of TB infection or the risk of progression to TB disease if infected

Classification of the Tuberculin Skin Test Reaction

An induration of 5 or more millimeters is considered positive in

• People living with HIV

• A recent contact of a person with infectious TB disease

• People with chest x-ray findings suggestive of previous TB disease

• People with organ transplants

• Other immunosuppressed people (e.g., patients on prolonged therapy with corticosteroids equivalent to/greater than 15 mg per day of prednisone or those taking TNF-a antagonists)

An induration of 10 or more millimeters is considered positive in

• People born in countries where TB disease is common, including Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, China, Haiti, and Guatemala, or other countries with high rates of TB

• -People who abuse drugs

• -Mycobacteriology laboratory workers

• -People who live or work in high-risk congregate settings (e.g., nursing homes, homeless shelters, or correctional facilities)

• -People with certain medical conditions that place them at high risk for TB (e.g., silicosis, diabetes mellitus, severe kidney disease, certain types of cancer, and certain intestinal conditions)

• -People with a low body weight (<90% of ideal body weight)

• -Children younger than 5 years of age

• -Infants, children, and adolescents exposed to adults in high-risk categories

An induration of 15 or more millimeters is considered positive in

People with no known risk factors for TB

False positives

Some persons may react to the TST even though they are not infected with M. tuberculosis. The causes of these false-positive reactions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Previous TB vaccination with the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine

• Infection with nontuberculosis mycobacteria (mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis)
• Incorrect measurement or interpretation of reaction
• Incorrect antigen used

A TB blood test is the preferred method of testing for people who have received the BCG vaccine in order to prevent false-positive reactions. TB blood tests are also called interferon-gamma release assays or IGRAs.

False negatives

Some persons may not react to the TST even though they are infected with M. tuberculosis. The reasons for these false-negative reactions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Anergy
• Recent TB infection (within the past 8 to 10 weeks)
• Very young age (younger than 6 months)
• Recent live-virus measles or smallpox vaccination
• Incorrect method of giving the TST
• Incorrect measuring or interpretation of TST reaction

Most persons can receive a TST. TST is the recommended method of testing for children younger than 5 years of age. It should be noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that either a TST or TB blood test (interferon-gamma release assay [IGRA]), can be used in children 2 years and older. In children previously vaccinated with BCG, a TB blood test is preferred to avoid a false-positive TST result caused by a previous vaccination with BCG.

Contra-indications

TST is contraindicated only for persons who have had a severe reaction (e.g., necrosis, blistering, anaphylactic shock, or ulcerations) to a previous TST. It is not contraindicated for any other persons, including infants, children, pregnant women, or persons living with HIV. However, TB blood tests are the preferred method of testing for people who have received the BCG TB vaccine.

In general, there is no risk associated with repeated tuberculin skin test placements. If a person does not return within 48-72 hours for a tuberculin skin test reading, a second test can be placed as soon as possible. There is no contraindication to repeating the TST, unless a previous TST was associated with a severe reaction.

A boosted reaction occurs mainly in previously infected, older adults whose ability to react to tuberculin has decreased over time. When given a TST years after infection, these persons may have an initial negative reaction. However, the TST may stimulate the immune system, causing a positive or boosted reaction to subsequent tests. Giving a second TST after an initial negative TST reaction is called two-step testing.

Vaccination with live viruses, including measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, varicella, yellow fever, BCG, and oral typhoid, may interfere with TST reactions. For persons scheduled to receive a TST, testing should be done as follows:

Either on the same day as vaccination with live-virus vaccine or At least 1 month after the administration of the live-virus vaccine There are two kinds of tests that are used to determine if a person has been infected with TB bacteria: the TB blood test and the TB skin test. TB blood tests (sometimes called IGRAs) use a blood sample to find TB infection. The tests measure the response of TB proteins when they are mixed with a small amount of blood. Only one visit is required to draw blood for this test. Health care providers are encouraged to use newer TB blood tests to screen for TB infection. In order to prevent false-positive reactions, TB blood tests are also the preferred method of TB testing for people 5 years of age and older who have received the BCG TB vaccine.

Diagnosis of Latent TB Infection

A diagnosis of latent TB infection is made if a person has a positive TB test result and a medical evaluation does not indicate TB disease. The decision about treatment for latent TB infection will be based on a person’s chances of developing TB disease by considering their risk factors.

Diagnosis of TB Disease

TB disease is diagnosed by medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray, and other laboratory tests. TB disease is treated by taking several drugs as recommended by a health care provider.

Treatment of latent TB

Treating latent TB infection is effective in preventing TB disease and less costly than treating TB disease. There are several treatment regimens for the treatment of latent TB infection. These regimens use the drugs isoniazid, rifapentine, or rifampin.

CDC and NTCA recommendations

CDC and the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA) preferentially recommend short-course, rifamycin-based, 3- or 4-month latent TB infection treatment regimens over 6- or 9-month isoniazid monotherapy (6H or 9H, respectively). Short-course regimens include: Three months of once-weekly isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP), four months of daily rifampin (4R), or three months of daily isoniazid plus rifampin (3HR). Short-course latent TB infection treatments are effective, are safe, and have higher completion rates than longer treatments.

If a short-course treatment regimen is not an option, 6H or 9H is an effective alternative latent TB infection treatment regimen.

See also

• Tuberculosis
• Latent tuberculosis
• QuantiFERON
• Tine test

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