Indications: diagnostic reagent.

Side Effects: Pain and pruritus may occur at the injection site, occasionally with vesiculation, ulceration, or necrosis in highly sensitive persons. Granuloma has been reported. Nausea, headache, dizziness, malaise, rash, urticaria, oedema, and pyrexia have been reported occasionally; immediate systemic hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, has been reported rarely. There have also been rare reports of lymphangitis.

Contra-indications: Avoid testing within 4 weeks of receiving a live viral vaccine since response to tuberculin may be inhibited.

Dose: Mantoux test, by intradermal injection, routine, 10 units i.e. 0.1 ml of 100 units/ml.

Special (hypersensitive or TB suspected), 1 unit i.e. 0.1 ml of 100 units/ml.

Special (low sensitivity), 100 units i.e. 0.1 ml of 1000 units/ml.

A positive and a strongly positive result consist of induration of at least 5 mm and 15 mm respectively in diameter.

Results are read after 48-72 hours but if necessary may be read up to 96 hours after the test.