The tuberculin tine test is used to determine whether someone has been infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. However, the test is rarely used because other tests are more accurate.
Alternative NamesTB tine
How the test is performedThis test uses a tiny spiked instrument to inject a small amount of the tuberculosis antigen just under your skin. This is most commonly done on the forearm. Usually, the area is marked with an ink pen so it can be checked for any redness and swelling at a later time, usually in 2 - 3 days.
Note: Another test, called the tuberculin skin test, is more accurate than the TB tine test covered in this article. It is the preferred method of determining exposure to tuberculosis.
How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation. People with dermatitis or other skin irritations on their arms may need to have the test performed at a different spot on the body.
How the test will feelSome people feel a slight stinging sensation when the instrument is inserted under the skin. After the test, the area may itch or burn.
Why the test is performedThis test helps determine if you have ever been exposed to, or infected with tuberculosis. If you have ever been infected with tuberculosis, your immune system produced substances called T-cells to help fight the disease. These T-cells stay in your body.
When this test is performed, the T-cells against tuberculosis will produce a positive test result.
Normal ValuesIf you have a negative test result, the area may be a little red, but it will not be swollen and firm like a mosquito bite. This means you have not been infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.
What abnormal results meanIf you have been infected with tuberculosis, the area may become red and swell like a mosquito bite in 48 - 72 hours. This is considered a positive test result. It means your body's immune system detected the substance injected under your skin.
A positive TB tine test does not mean that you have active tuberculosis. It only means that you have been exposed and infected at some point in the past.
A chest x-raymay be taken to determine whether you have active tuberculosis.
If you have a positive TB tine test, you should also have a TB skin test.
What the risks areThe risk of severe side effects is very low. Typical reactions include itching and hives. Sometimes, the area may blister. Rarely, the area of swelling may become very large.
Tell your health care provider if you have any severe reactions.
Special considerationsThe test results may be incorrect (false negative). False negative means the test suggests you haven't been exposed to tuberculosis, but you really have been. Incorrect results are more common with this test than with the tuberculin skin test.
This is more likely in the elderly and in patients with weakened immune systems, such as:
Friedland JS. Tuberculosis. In: Cohen J, Powderly WG, Berkley SF, et al, eds. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2004:chap 37.
The Mantoux test
PPD test
The small points of the instrument are either coated with dried tuberculin or are used to puncture through a film of liquid tuberculin. The test is read by measuring the size of the largest papule.
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In-test-tine
Yes. The tine test is a type of allergic response test. If he had been dangerously positive then the lesion(s) would still be visible after 2 weeks.
They are expected to perform Initial & 90 day TB tine tests.
A projecting point or prong of a fork is called a tine.
as of 2000, it is no longer recommended for general use.
The cast of Tine - 1996 includes: Tine Skolmen as Host
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Tine Herrmann has written: 'Tine Herrmann, Susanne Ahner, Claudia Schillinger'
Tine Logar died in 2002.
Tine Logar was born in 1916.