Mantoux testing screens for which disease?

Mantoux testing screens for which disease?

• A. Tuberculosis infection
• B. Hepatitis B infection
• C. Diabetes mellitus
• D. Lung cancer

Answer: (A)

The Mantoux test assesses exposure to tuberculosis by detecting a cell-mediated immune response to purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If someone has been exposed or infected in the past, memory T cells react, causing a localized induration at the injection site within 48 to 72 hours. A positive reaction suggests tuberculosis infection, not necessarily active disease, and it can be influenced by prior vaccination with BCG or exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which is why interpretation depends on risk factors and induration size. A positive result leads to further evaluation (like chest imaging and sputum tests) to determine if there is active TB or latent infection. This test does not screen for hepatitis B, diabetes, or lung cancer.

The Mantoux test assesses exposure to tuberculosis by detecting a cell-mediated immune response to purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If someone has been exposed or infected in the past, memory T cells react, causing a localized induration at the injection site within 48 to 72 hours. A positive reaction suggests tuberculosis infection, not necessarily active disease, and it can be influenced by prior vaccination with BCG or exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which is why interpretation depends on risk factors and induration size. A positive result leads to further evaluation (like chest imaging and sputum tests) to determine if there is active TB or latent infection. This test does not screen for hepatitis B, diabetes, or lung cancer.