Comparison of different methods and times for reading the tuberculin skin test
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best time and method for assessing TST results and which purified protein derivative (PPD) to administer.
DESIGN: Standard PPD (PPD-S) and PPD-RT23 were applied concurrently on each forearm in random order in 78 nurses.
MEASUREMENTS: TST induration was measured at 48, 72 and 96 h by two nurses by palpation and a ruler, palpation and a Vernier caliper, ballpoint pen and a ruler or ballpoint pen and a Vernier caliper. TST differences were assessed using mixed-effects analysis. We also assessed the rate of false-positive/-negative results and the variability of the TST measurements.
RESULTS: We performed 767 TST measurements. The adjusted mean TST size was larger with PPD-S than with PPD-RT23 (12.8 vs. 10.8 mm, P < 0.001), and at 72 h than at 48 h and 96 h (13.4 vs. 11.8 vs. 10.1 mm, P < 0.05). The smallest number of false results was observed with PPD-S, the ballpoint pen-ruler and at 72 h; palpation+ruler had the least variability at 72 h.
Conclusions: The TST should ideally be performed with PPD-S and measured at 72 h with the ballpoint pen+ruler or palpation+ruler methods.
Keywords: Mantoux test; PPD; TST measurement; TST reading
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Division of Respirology and Critical Care Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 2: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México; Hospital Central Dr Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, México 3: Hospital Central Dr Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, México
Publication date: 01 October 2013
The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.
The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.
- Editorial Board
- Information for Authors
- Subscribe to this Title
- International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
- Public Health Action
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
Receive new issue alert- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content