PPD Test or Mantoux Test for TB

 What Is PPD  Test or  Mantoux Test 

Mantoux  test or PPD test can show if you have presence of TB infection. The Mantoux test does not differentiate between active TB and latent TB.  It only tells presence of tuberculosis bacteria. This TB test is standard method to diagnose latent Tb.
Mantoux Mandel test is also known as Tuberculin Sensitivity Test. In India this test is also often mispronounced as Montu test. If this test for latent Tb is positive doctor may advice another TB test like sputum test to confirm the active TB infection.
Read here: Difference Between Latent TB vs Active TB Infection

Full Form Of PPD  Test 

Full for of PPD is Purified protein derivative. It is called so because tuberculin which is used in the test is a purified protein derivative. The skin of the subject may show reaction to the PPD tuberculin.

Why PPD  Test Is Done

There could be three reasons for PPD test. In India 40 percent of individuals have latent Tb because bacterium resides without being infective and active. Still if active Tb is suspected first PPD test can be done, because tests for active Tb are costly. So first latent Tb test is done. If latent Tb is confirmed then the doctor may go for sputum test and other Tb tests.  So as a first step to diagnose Tb susceptible individuals can get  a PPD test done. 

Secondly, the sputum test for Active Tb require sputum. If the patient is not producing sputum PPD test cam be done first to detect latent TB.
Thirdly, Mantoux of 10 mm or greater were associated with higher incidence of developing active tuberculosis in the future. It was reported that Mantoux is useful for those who had latent tuberculous infection and would most likely benefit from treatment of it.

Method For Mantoux Test or PPD Skin Test

A standard dose of PPD  tuberculin is injected intradermally in the skin (between the layers of dermis) This intradermal injection is termed the Mantoux technique. A person who has been exposed to the bacteria is expected to show an immune response in the skin. The skin is read for reaction 48 to 72 hours  after administration of injection.

Interpretation for PPD Tuberculin Skin Test

The interpretation is based on the sensitivity of skin to injected PPD tuberculin. The reaction is read by measuring the diameter of palpable – raised hardened- area ( induration) area across the forearm. Erythema (redness) is not measured. Just the appearance of raised area does not mean that you have TB. Because different diameters of induration are considered positive in different kind of individuals.
For example. An induration of 5 or more millimeters is considered positive in HIV-infected persons. Induration of more than 10mm is considered positive for children under 4 years of age. So you should depend on your doctor or expert for interpretation.

False Positives to Mantoux test

Some persons may react to the tuberculin skin test even though they are not infected with tuberculosis. The causes of these false-positive reactions may include the following:
• Infection with non-TB Mycobacteria
• Previous BCG vaccination
• Inaccurate Test administration
• Incorrect interpretation

False Negatives to Mantoux test

The reasons for these false-negative reactions may include the following:
• Cutaneous anergy (anergy is the inability to react to skin tests
because of a weakened immune system)
• Recent TB infection (within 8-10 weeks of exposure)
• Very old TB infection (many years old)
• Very young  subject (less than 6 months old)
• Recent live virus vaccination (e.g., measles and smallpox)
• Overwhelming TB disease
• Some viral illnesses (e.g., measles and chicken pox)
• Incorrect method of Test administration
• Incorrect interpretation

Meaning Of Positive PPD  Test

If your PPD  test is positive do not panic because positive Mantoux test means presence of tuberculosis bacterium, Active tuberculosis is still not confirmed. Latent Tb can be cured easily by taking one medicine for some months. If more Tests confirm active TB then it can always be cured in few months. Tb diagnosis and treatments are free in India by government, and are  also easily accessible.

Cost Of PPD  Test

The Cost of PPD test or Mantoux test in Private hospitals is best done under Hundered  rupees. In India this test is free in government hospitals. Government and  Municipal chest clinics and hospitals are best places to avoid crowd and cost.

Side Effects of PPD Skin Test?

Mantoux test does not have any side effects in most individuals. There is very slight risk of reaction like swelling and redness of the arm, this can be controlled by doctor if happens. Allergic reactions are also rare complications.
There is no chance of developing tuberculosis from the PPD test.

Who Should Get A TB Skin Test

In India 40 percent of individuals have latent Tb because bacterium resides without being infective and active. Still if active Tb is suspectible first PPD test can be done, because tests for active Tb are costly. So first latent Tb test is done. If latent Tb is confirmed then the doctor may go for sputum test and other Tb tests.  So as a first step to diagnose Tb following individuals can get  a PPD test done.
• Those who have had frequent close contact with someone who has active TB disease
• Those living or lived in a country or locality where many people have TB
• Those working or living in a nursing home, clinic, hospital, prison, or homeless shelter, or
• Those who have HIV infection or certain other health problems.
• Consult your doctor about possibility if you have cough for more than 4 weeks.
Please note, doctor may suggest other tests directly like chest X-ray and sputum test without first suggesting Mantoux test. Mantoux tells about presence of tuberculosis bacteria in latent state or active state. Other tests may confirm the active Mycobacterium TB infection.

4 thoughts on “PPD Test or Mantoux Test for TB”

  1. sir what is cost or spending for test. my cough not going since last 2 month. do you suggest me this test asap.

  2. Visit nearby chest and Tb clinic. They will recommend test if they suspect TB. PPD and sputum etc. tests are free in government hospitals in India.

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