How are tuberculin skin test results read?

An induration of at least 10 mm may be considered a positive test if you’re a recent immigrant from a country with a high prevalence of TB….If the induration is at least 5 mm, it will be considered positive in people who:

  1. have had recent contact with a person with TB.
  2. are HIV-positive.
  3. have had an organ transplant.

When should a tuberculin skin test be read?

The skin test reaction should be read between 48 and 72 hours after administration. If the test is not read within 72 hours, another TST should be placed unless the amount of induration is ≥ 10 mm within 7 days after placement.

What is 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.

What does a positive TB skin test indicate?

The test is “positive” if there is a bump of a certain size where the fluid was injected. This means you probably have TB germs in your body. Most people with a positive TB skin test have latent TB infection. To be sure, your doctor will examine you and give you a chest x-ray.

How do you read a TB document?

Record

  1. Record the exact measurement in millimeters of induration on the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Record Form.
  2. Record the date and time the test was read, the name and signature of the person who read the skin test, and the presence or absence of adverse effects (i.e., blistering, redness, and swelling)

Can you read a TB test in 24 hours?

Therefore, any induration 24 hours after placement of the tuberculin PPD test has a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 75%. Of the 495 subjects with any induration at 24 hours, 311 had positive tests at 72 hours, giving a positive predictive value of 63%.

What tuberculin means?

Definition of tuberculin : a sterile liquid containing the growth products of or specific substances extracted from the tubercle bacillus and used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis especially in children and cattle.

How big is a positive TB test?

* For employees who are otherwise at low risk for TB and who are tested as part of an infection control screening program at the start of employment, a reaction of 15 mm is considered positive.

How do you read a positive Mantoux test?

The latest interpretation for Mantoux test results

  1. Baseline test: ≥10 mm is positive (either first or second step); 0 to 9 mm is negative.
  2. Serial testing without known exposure: Increase of ≥10 mm is positive.
  3. Known exposure: ≥5 mm is positive in patients with baseline of 0 mm.

Does a TB test have to be read exactly 48 hours?

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).

Why is TB test 48 hours?

The authors state that, in adults, the size of the Mantoux reaction for tuberculin testing is significantly larger at 72 hours than at 48 hours. They add that in clinical practice, tuberculin tests should be read at 72 hours to reduce the number of false-negative results.

What is tuberculin used for?

Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is used in a skin test to help diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection in persons at increased risk of developing active disease.

What is tuberculin response?

The tuberculin skin test (TST) is designed to detect a memory cell–mediated immune response toM. tuberculosis. The test becomes positive 2–10 weeks after infection and remains positive for many years, although it may wane with age.

Is a positive TB test red?

A positive test result means you may have been infected with TB at some point. It does not mean you have an active TB infection. The test may be seen as positive if the skin where you were injected is hard, raised, red, and swollen. But redness alone is not considered a positive test result.

How long is a TB skin test good for?

A TB Skin Test is needed for at time of hire and then every four years thereafter. If a chest x-ray report is submitted for clearance, it is needed for hire and then every four years thereafter.

How long is TB test valid for?

If the TST was done in the past 12 months, only a one-step test is required. If the result is positive, refer to *Person with a positive TST. If both tests are negative, only a one-step test is required.

Can you read a TB skin test 24 hours?

Reading of the TST The TST should be read 48–72 hours after administration as the reaction to tuberculin causes maximal induration at 48–72 hours and subsides over a period of days. After 72 hours it is difficult to interpret a reaction.

How is tuberculin skin test administered?

Administration

  1. Locate and clean injection site 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) below elbow joint. Place forearm palm-up on a firm, well-lit surface.
  2. Prepare syringe. Check expiry date on vial and ensure vial contains tuberculin PPD-S (5 TU/0.1 ml).
  3. Inject tuberculin (see Figure A3.1)
  4. Check injection site.
  5. Record information.

What size is a positive TB skin test?

An induration of 15 mm or more is considered positive in: Always considered positive in any person. Healthy individuals without any risk factors for TB.

What induration is positive TB test?

Within 48 to 72 hours, a positive TB skin test is marked by an area of reddish induration greater than 10 mm. It is the induration (firm bump) that is gently palpated that determines the size, not the area of redness. This reaction is slightly larger than the average positive test 17 mm in size.