Mantoux

tuberculin skin test

Facilitator Guide
November 2013
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test
DVD Transcript and Facilitator Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................... 2
Background on the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test ........................ 4
Part One: Administering the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test .......... .5
Review of Part One .................................................................. 15
Part Two: Reading the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test ................. 16
Review of Part Two .................................................................. 23
Closing .................................................................................... 24
Appendix A: Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test References ............... 25
Appendix B: Ordering Information ............................................. 26
Appendix C: Additional Resources and Information .................... 27
Appendix D: ............................................................................ 29
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Interpretation Table .................... 29

The following document is the transcript for the Mantoux

Tuberculin Skin Test DVD. Incorporated within the transcript
are facilitator notes offering suggestions for discussion during
a training conducted with this DVD.

Facilitator notes are identified by a note symbol

followed by a text box.

To begin, insert the DVD into the CD drive on your

computer. If the DVD does not start automatically, double-
click on the My Computer Icon on your desktop and double-
click on the CD drive to access the menu. You can play all
sections or choose the section that you would like to view.

1
Introduction

An estimated 2 billion people, or one third of the

world's population, are infected with the bacteria
that cause tuberculosis. One reason so many
people are infected with TB is that it’s spread
through the air from one person to another.

When someone with TB disease of the lungs or

throat coughs or sneezes, the bacteria are expelled
into the air. If people nearby breathe in these
bacteria, they can become infected, and usually
the infection remains latent.

In latent TB infection, the bacteria are made

inactive by the body’s immune system. The
bacteria can remain inactive for many years,
perhaps for life. Most people who become infected
with TB don’t get active TB disease.

However, an infected person remains at risk of

developing active TB disease at any time. The
bacteria can become active and multiply,
especially if the immune system becomes
impaired.

The bad news is, approximately 2 million people

in the world die each year from active TB disease.

The good news is, people who have latent TB

infection can get treatment that will prevent the
development of active TB disease.

As a health care worker, you play an important

role in controlling TB. Your knowledge and skills

2
are valuable in accurately identifying people who
have TB infection.

In this video you’ll learn how to test for TB

infection by administering and reading the
Mantoux tuberculin skin test.

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test should always

be placed and read by a designated, trained health
care worker.

Discuss skin test training, certification

programs, and requirements in your
locality. In your work site:
 What type of health care worker is
designated to place and read the
skin test: a nurse, outreach worker,
or someone else?
 Is placing and reading done by one
person or different people?
 What courses must be taken by
health care workers who place and
read the skin test?
 Are there required renewal classes?
 Where and how often is this
renewal training offered?

3
Background on the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test

In the United States, the Mantoux tuberculin skin

test has been the standard method for detecting
latent TB infection since the 1930s.

The skin test is used to evaluate people for latent

TB infection. It’s primarily used in two situations.

First, it’s used in contact investigations to test

close contacts of people who have active TB
disease.

Second, it’s used as part of targeted testing

activities in various groups of people who are at
high risk for TB, such as health care workers who
serve high-risk clients, residents and employees of
correctional facilities, and foreign-born people
from areas that have a high TB incidence.

The priorities for targeted testing of high-risk

populations should be based on local
epidemiologic data.

Discuss the targeted testing program at

your facility.
 What are the priorities for testing at
your facility?
 Which populations or target groups
should be considered for testing?

Once you’ve decided who should be tested, then

you can begin the Mantoux tuberculin skin test
procedure.

The two main parts are administering and reading

the skin test.
4
Part One: Administering the Mantoux Tuberculin
Skin Test

This part of the procedure includes preparation

steps, injection steps, and final steps.

The preparation steps include collecting supplies,

providing patient education, washing your hands,
locating and cleaning the injection site, and
preparing the syringe.

When preparing to administer the Mantoux

tuberculin skin test, make sure that the area for
administering the test has a firm, well-lit surface,
and that equipment and supplies are ready.

Supplies should include a vial of tuberculin, a

single-dose disposable tuberculin syringe, a ruler
with millimeter (mm) measurements, 2x2 gauze
pads or cottonballs, alcohol swabs, a puncture-
resistant sharps disposal container, record-keeping
forms for the patient and provider, and a pen.

Tubersol and Aplisol are the two commercially

available tuberculin products. The multidose vials
contain tuberculin for either 10 or 50 tests.

The tuberculin is administered using a single-dose

disposable tuberculin syringe that has a one-
quarter to one-half inch, 27-gauge needle with a
short bevel.

In the United States, the Mantoux tuberculin skin

test consists of an intradermal injection of exactly
one tenth of a milliliter (mL), which contains 5
tuberculin units.

5
Syringe and needle technologies continue to
evolve to help prevent needlestick injuries.
Institutional policy should determine which skin
test device has been evaluated and approved for
use by your facility.

Discuss and demonstrate the needle

technology that has been selected for
use at your facility.

Look at the vial label to make sure the vial

contains the tuberculin that you want to use,
including the tuberculin unit strength.

The label should indicate the expiration date. If

it’s been open more than 30 days or the expiration
date has passed, the vial should be thrown away
and a new vial used.

When you open a new vial, write the date and

your initials on the label to indicate when the vial
was opened and who opened it.

To avoid reducing the potency of the tuberculin,

store it inside a refrigerator so that it remains
between 35 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit or between
2 and 8 degrees Centigrade.

Also store and transport the tuberculin in the dark

as much as possible and avoid exposure to light.

In certain settings, such as when you’re in the

field, you may need to use another type of cooling
container to control the temperature and protect
from light.

6
 Discuss the type of cooling device used
by your facility in settings when a
refrigerator is not nearby.

After collecting supplies, the next step is patient

education. You should sit so that you are both
comfortable and facing each other.

Discuss why the skin test is given, what is

involved in the procedure, and when the patient
should return for the test to be read. Explain that
48 to 72 hours after the test is administered, the
patient must return to have the induration
measured and evaluated. Make an appointment for
the patient to return.

If a patient can’t return within the 48- to 72-hour

time period, do not administer the test. Instead,
schedule another time that allows the patient to
come for both the test and the return appointment.

It’s also important to encourage the patient to ask

questions and talk about any anxieties he or she
may have about the test.

That way you can answer any questions and ease

any fears the patient may have. Consult local
practice to find out how best to document
informed consent in your setting.

Discuss whether or not your program

has a consent form that must be signed
by the patient or another way to ensure
informed consent. Also discuss
translation options for patients who do
not speak English.
7
After providing patient education, you should
wash your hands, using an appropriate hand-
washing technique, before administering the test
or any other procedure involving patient contact.
In certain field settings it may be necessary to use
other hand-hygiene techniques.

Review the steps for appropriate hand

washing and hand hygiene. Discuss the
alternatives available in settings where
soap and water are not accessible. For
more information see “Guideline for
Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings,”
MMWR, Vol. 51, No. RR-16, October
25, 2002. This guideline is also
available on-line at
http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/.

On a firm, well-lit surface, expose the patient’s

arm and slightly flex it at the elbow. The injection
should be placed on the palm-side-up surface of
the forearm, about 2 to 4 inches below the elbow.
Your local institutional policy may specify the
right or the left forearm for the skin test.

The area selected should be free of any barriers to

placing and reading the skin test such as muscle
margins, heavy hair, veins, sores, or scars.

If the patient has any of these at the site, then you

should use the other arm or the standard
alternative site selected by your institution.

8
 The DVD demonstrates consistent
placement on the left arm. Typically, the
other arm is used as the alternate site;
however, in some situations other
alternatives need to be considered (the
shoulder is demonstrated as an alternative
site, as it is often selected in patients who
have less skin turgor). Describe the skin
test placement site selection standards for
your facility.
 What is the standard arm used for
placement?
 What is the standard alternative site if
there are barriers to placing on that
arm?
 Are there any other alternative sites?
Discuss the importance of documenting the
alternative site in the patient’s chart or
other record-keeping forms.

After choosing the injection site, clean the area

with an alcohol swab by circling from the center
of the site outward. Allow the site to dry
completely before the injection. Because some of
the tuberculin solution can adhere to the inside of
the plastic syringe, the skin test should be given as
soon as possible after the syringe is filled.

Always follow your institution’s standard

precautions for infection control.

Discuss your institution’s policies for

infection control while placing the skin
test. Scenes in the DVD demonstrate
placement with gloves and without gloves.
Discuss whether gloves are used in your
facility, and under what circumstances.

9
Wipe the top of the vial with a new alcohol swab
before drawing up the tuberculin solution.

Pick up the syringe and be sure to fasten the

needle tightly on the syringe by holding the cap
and twisting it onto the tip of the syringe. Next,
remove the needle cap.

The needle bevel should be perpendicular to the

flange of the syringe. If necessary, turn and tighten
the needle to line up the bevel correctly with the
flange.

Place the vial on a flat surface, hold the vial

between the thumb and fingers, and insert the
needle through the neoprene stopper.

Invert the vial while keeping a firm hold on the

syringe and plunger. The tip of the needle should
be below the fluid level in the vial.

Pull back on the plunger and draw out slightly

more than the one tenth of a milliliter needed for
the test.

Remove the needle from the vial. Hold the syringe

in an upright position, then draw back slightly on
the plunger. Tap the syringe lightly to break up air
bubbles, then push forward.

Expel all air and excess fluid from the syringe and
needle, leaving exactly one tenth of a milliliter of
tuberculin solution in the syringe.

The second step in administering the Mantoux

tuberculin skin test is injection. You’ll inject the
10
tuberculin, discard the needle and syringe, check
that the skin test was administered properly, and
repeat the test if needed.

Stretch taut the selected area of skin between the

thumb and forefinger.

This provides a surface that is easier for the needle

to penetrate. With the needle bevel facing up and
the syringe flange parallel to the forearm, hold the
syringe between your thumb and forefinger.

There are several techniques for pulling the

skin taut for placement (e.g., pulling from
under the arm, inserting with one hand from
the side, pulling toward the wrist with one
finger). Only two techniques are
demonstrated in the DVD. If a different
technique is used at your facility, describe it.

The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is an intradermal

injection.

With the needle bevel against the patient’s skin,

insert it slowly at a 5- to 15-degree angle.

The 5- to 15-degree angle is very important

because this layer of skin is very thin.

For an intradermal injection, the needle bevel is

advanced through the epidermis, the superficial
layer of skin, approximately 3 mm so that the
entire bevel is covered and lies just under the skin.

The injection will produce inadequate results if the

needle angle is too deep or too shallow.

11
When the needle is inserted at the correct angle
you can see the bevel of the needle just below the
skin surface. Next, release the stretched skin and
hold the syringe in place on the forearm.

Grip the flange of the syringe between your first

and middle fingers. Use your thumb to press on
the plunger.

Now, slowly inject the tuberculin solution. You

should feel fairly firm resistance as the tuberculin
enters the skin. A tense, pale wheal that’s 6 to 10
mm in diameter appears over the needle bevel.
Remove the needle without pressing or massaging
the area.

Next, discard the used syringe immediately in the

designated puncture-resistant container.

If you’re using a safety needle, engage the safety-

needle mechanism before discarding.

To prevent needlestick injuries, used needles

should not be recapped, purposely bent or broken,
removed from disposable syringes, or otherwise
manipulated by hand.

It’s not unusual for a drop of blood to appear at

the injection site, even when the needle is inserted
properly.

Should this happen, lightly blot the blood away

with a 2x2 gauze pad or cotton ball. Do not cover
the site with an adhesive bandage because the
adhesive could cause irritation and interfere with
the test. Properly dispose of the contaminated
gauze pad. To determine if the skin test was
administered properly, use the millimeter ruler to
12
immediately measure the wheal at its maximum
size.

The wheal should be at least 6 mm in diameter.

If the wheal is less than 6 mm in diameter, then

the test should be administered again.

The needle bevel may have been inserted too

deeply or an inadequate dose administered.

If leakage occurs at the insertion site, the needle

bevel may not have been inserted far enough for
the bevel to be covered by the skin.

If the tuberculin test must be repeated, use another

site at least 2 inches, or 50 mm, from the original
site. Or use the standard alternate placement site.
You will need to indicate this alternate site when
you fill out the record keeping forms.

The final step in administering the Mantoux

tuberculin skin test includes washing your hands,
recording information, reminding the patient about
the return visit, providing patient education, and
returning the vial to the refrigerator.

In this step, immediately and thoroughly wash

your hands.

This step also includes recording information on

the patient’s chart and other record-keeping forms.
Write the date and the time the test was
administered, the name and manufacturer of the
injected solution, the lot number, the tuberculin
dose administered, the expiration date, the forearm
or alternative site in which the injection was
given, the site location if you repeat the test, the
13
name of the person who administered the test, and
the reason for giving the skin test.

Provide copies of the record-keeping forms

used at your facility and demonstrate how
the information should be recorded.

Since it’s important for the patient to return within

48 to 72 hours to have the test result read, always
remind the patient to return. Giving the patient a
card with information on care of the site and the
date for the return appointment may help serve as
a reminder.

Explain that mild itching, swelling, or irritation

may occur and that these are normal reactions that
do not require any treatment. These types of
reactions usually go away within a week. Explain
how to care for the injection site after the test.

Tell the patient to avoid scratching the site, keep

the site clean and dry, and avoid putting creams,
lotions, or adhesive bandages on it. Also mention
that getting the site wet with water is not harmful,
but the site should not be wiped or scrubbed.

Finally, return the tuberculin vial to the

refrigerator or other cooling container if you are in
the field.

14
Review of Part One

In review, remember that when you administer the

Mantoux tuberculin skin test, the preparation steps
include collecting the supplies, providing patient
education, washing your hands, locating and
cleaning the injection site, and preparing the
syringe.

The injection steps include injecting the tuberculin

at a 5- to 15-degree angle, discarding the needle
and syringe properly, checking that the skin test
was administered properly, and repeating the test
if needed.

The final steps include washing your hands,

recording the information, reminding the patient
about the return visit, providing patient education,
and returning the vial to the refrigerator.

15
Part Two: Reading the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test

The last part of the procedure is to read the

Mantoux tuberculin skin test. The method
demonstrated in this videotape is based on the
palpation method. The steps include
collecting supplies; inspecting the site; palpating,
marking, and measuring the induration; and
recording the measurement.

There are several different methods for reading the

Mantoux tuberculin skin test, and they can vary
among facilities. For each facility, everyone
reading the skin test should receive training in and
use the same method.

A great deal of practice is required to achieve

consistently reliable measurements.

The skin test should be read between 48 and 72

hours after the skin test has been administered.

A patient who doesn’t return within 72 hours will

probably need to be rescheduled for another skin
test.

To begin, collect the following supplies: a small,

plastic, flexible ruler marked in millimeters to
measure the test, a pen to mark the edges of the
induration, and an alcohol pad to clean off the pen
marks. You’ll need the patient’s record or other
appropriate forms for documenting the
measurement results.
A sharp eyeliner pencil and baby
oil can be substituted for the pen
and alcohol pad, to remove the
marks easily. This is especially
useful if blinded duplicate readings 16
are done as part of quality control.
Also have culturally appropriate patient education
materials available for the patient to reinforce
information that is explained to the patient, help
answer questions, and provide information on
follow-up evaluation.

Patient education materials are

available from CDC and the TB
Regional Training and Medical
Consultation Centers (See Appendix
C). In addition, the TB Education and
Training Resources website
(http://www.findtbresources.org/scrip
ts/index.cfm) provides access to TB
educational materials and other
resources. Discuss the utility of
sharing appropriate patient education
materials with the patient prior to
placing the test as well as prior to
reading the test.

To locate the skin-test site, inspect the arm in good

light and on a firm surface. When the site is on the
forearm, turn the arm palm up, support it, and
slightly flex it at the elbow.

The basis of reading the skin test is the presence or

absence of induration, which is a hard, dense,
raised formation. This is the area that is measured.

Sometimes the site has erythema, a reddening of

the skin that can also have swelling. The erythema
should NOT be measured.

Whatever induration is present at 48 to 72 hours

should be measured and recorded. Only the part of
the reaction that can be felt, which is the
17
induration, is measured, even if there is soft
swelling or redness at the site. Keep in mind there
might not be an induration.

Reactions to the tuberculin test at the injection site

can range from no induration to a large, well-
defined induration.

In order to feel the induration properly, keep your

fingernails short enough so that they don’t
protrude beyond the finger.

The induration is not always visible, so you must

rely on palpation with your fingertips to discover
if there’s induration at the site.

With your fingers together, touch the area lightly

with the pads of your fingertips.

Using a light, gentle motion, sweep the fingertips

over the surface of the forearm in a 2-inch
diameter in all four directions to locate the
margins or edges of induration.

Explain how the fingertips are swept

from north to south, south to north, east
to west, and west to east. Explain that
there should be no pushing or prodding
to find the induration, only gentle
sweeping motions.

If induration is present, use a zigzag, feather-like

touch over the area of induration to outline the
margins of induration. Determining margins all
around the induration helps to find the edges,
which will be measured later.

18
When palpating for margins, be careful not to
confuse a margin of induration with a margin of
muscle on the forearm. To check this, raise the
patient’s arm to a 45-degree angle and palpate
again. You should still be able to palpate the
margins of induration.

The diameter of the induration is measured across

the forearm, from the thumb side of the arm to the
little finger side of the arm or vice versa.

Explain that the orientation of the line

of measurement can be remembered by
visualizing the direction in which a
watch-band lies across the arm.

To mark the edges of the induration, hold your

palm over the injection site with your fingertips at
the outer edge of the patient’s forearm. Without
lifting, move the fingertips from the outer edge of
the forearm towards the induration. Rest one
fingertip firmly against the induration margin
border on one side before marking the margin.
The fingertip should remain in contact with the
skin at all times. Mark lightly with a fine dot at the
widest edge of the induration, using the fingertip
as a guide.

Repeat the procedure from the other side of the

patient’s forearm and place the second mark on
the margin of induration. Palpate again to double
check that the induration was marked correctly.

If the margin is not equally clear all the way

around the induration, it’s still necessary to mark
the margins on each side of the induration. Palpate

19
around the induration from the easily felt margin
to the not-so-easily-felt margin.

If the margins of induration are irregular, mark

and measure the longest diameter across the
forearm.

To measure the diameter of the induration, use the

millimeter ruler.

Place the zero ruler line inside the left dot edge
and read the ruler line inside the right dot edge. If
the measurement falls between two divisions on
the millimeter scale, record the lower mark. The
induration shown here measures 10 mm.

Reactions to the skin test will vary. For example,

this is a very large reaction with blistering,
swelling, and redness.

Make sure to record blistering, even if no

induration is present. Palpate this induration
gently, as it may be painful. Measure only the
induration.

This reaction measures 17 mm.

There is redness and swelling in this reaction, but

there is no induration. Because only the margins
of induration are significant, the redness and
swelling should not be mistakenly measured.

Therefore, the measurement of this induration is 0

mm.

Immediately after the test is measured, write the

exact measurement in millimeters of induration on
the patient’s record. Do not simply record the
20
interpretation of the results as “negative” or
“positive,” and do not record the results in
centimeters.

For example, an induration that measures 3 mm

should be recorded as “3 mm” and not as
“negative.” Additional information should include
the date and time the test was read, the name and
signature of the person who read the skin test, and
the presence or absence of adverse effects.

State or local policies may require additional

documentation of adverse effects.

Discuss the documentation policies and

procedures in your facility. Share a copy of the
documentation form(s) that is used in your
facility. Describe any additional
documentation that may be necessary for
reporting adverse effects (e.g., MedWatch
forms).

Accurately reading and recording skin test

measurement results is important and gives the
health care provider useful information for
evaluation. Results are often used as a baseline or
as a comparison with past or future test results.

Interpretation should be performed by a trained

health care provider in accordance with
institutional policies based on CDC guidelines.

Check your institution’s policy for evaluation and

referral procedures.

21
 Discuss your facility’s policy for interpretation
of the skin test measurement. If interpretation
is conducted by the same person who reads the
skin test, discuss cut points for interpretation
(see Appendix D). If interpretation is
conducted by someone else at your facility,
discuss evaluation and referral procedures.

Reliable reading of the tuberculin skin test

requires a great deal of practice and adherence to
appropriate steps for quality control.

The steps in this method include standardization

of procedures, training, supervision, and practice.
This may include periodic standardized reliability
testing.

Discuss the opportunities available for

additional practice and training on the
Mantoux tuberculin skin test in your facility.
Discuss any reliability testing and supervision
procedures that are used at your facility.
 Who will supervise the readings?
 How many readings need to be
performed before supervision is no
longer necessary?

22
Review of Part Two

In review, remember: when you read the Mantoux

tuberculin skin test, you should collect the
appropriate supplies; inspect the site; palpate the
induration; mark the induration; measure the
induration, not the erythema; and record the
measurement.

23
Closing

Although it takes practice to perform the Mantoux

skin test accurately and reliably, the skills and
knowledge you develop in administering and
reading the Mantoux tuberculin skin test will help
you play an important role in TB control.

24
Appendix A: Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test
References

Diagnostic Standards / Classification of TB in

Adults and Children - Am J Respir Crit Care Med
2000; 161:1376-1395
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/PDF/1376.pdf

Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Treatment of

Latent Tuberculosis Infection - MMWR 2000; 49
(No. RR-6)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr490
6a1.htm

25
Appendix B: Ordering Information

The Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Training Materials Kit

may be ordered:
 Through the Division of Tuberculosis
Elimination (DTBE) online ordering system:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/

 By mailing the DTBE Educational and

Training Materials Order Form, available at
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/

26
 Appendix C: Additional Resources and
Information

Additional resources and information on the Mantoux

tuberculin skin test can be obtained from the Division of
Tuberculosis Elimination, CDC and the TB Regional
Training and Medical Consultation Centers.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD,
and TB Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
1600 Clifton Road, MS E-10
Atlanta, GA 30333
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/

TB Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers

Curry International Tuberculosis Center

300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 520
Oakland, CA 94612-2037
Phone: 510-238-5100
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.currytbcenter.ucsf.edu

New Jersey Medical School Global Tuberculosis

Institute
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
225 Warren Street, Second Floor East Wing
Newark, NJ 07103-3620
Phone: (973) 972-3270
Fax: (973) 972-3268
Information Line: 1-800-4TB-DOCS (482-3627)
http://www.umdnj.edu/globaltb/start.html

27
Heartland National Tuberculosis Center
2303 SE Military Drive
San Antonio, TX 78223-3542
Phone: 800-839-5864
Fax: 210-531-4500
http://www.heartlandntbc.org/

Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center

2055 Mowry Road
Gainesville, FL 32611
Mailing Address:
PO Box 103600
Gainesville, FL 32610-3600
Phone: 352-265-7682
Fax: 352-265-7683
http://sntc.medicine.ufl.edu/

Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis

Centerplace Building 05
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905
Phone: 855-360-1466 (toll-free)
email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mayo.edu/tuberculosis-center

28
Appendix D:
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Interpretation Table

Skin test interpretation depends on

(1) the measurement in millimeters (mm) of the
induration and
(2) the person’s risk of being infected with TB and/or
progression to disease if infected.

The following three cut points should be used to

determine whether the skin test reaction is positive. A
measurement of 0 mm or anything below the defined cut
point for each category is considered negative.

Induration of 5 Induration of 10 Induration of

mm is considered mm is considered 15 mm is
positive in positive in considered
positive in
 Human  Recent immigrants  Persons with
immunodeficienc (i.e., within the no known
y virus (HIV)- last 5 years) from risk factors
positive persons high-prevalence for TB
 Recent contacts countries
of TB case  Injection drug
patients users
 Persons with  Residents and
fibrotic changes employees† of the
on chest following high-
radiograph risk congregate
consistent with settings: prisons
prior TB and jails, nursing
 Patients with homes and other
organ transplants long-term
and other facilities for the
immunosuppress elderly, hospitals
ed patients and other health
(Receiving the care facilities,
equivalent of 15 residential
mg/d of facilities for
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 prednisone for 1 patients with
month or more. acquired
Risk of TB in immunodeficiency
patients with syndrome (AIDS),
corticosteroids and homeless
increases with shelters
higher dose and  Mycobacteriology
longer duration.) laboratory
personnel
 Persons with the
following clinical
conditions that
place them at high
risk: silicosis,
diabetes mellitus,
chronic renal
failure, some
hematologic
disorders (e.g.,
leukemias and
lymphomas), other
specific
malignancies (e.g.,
carcinoma of the
head, neck, or
lung),weight loss
of 10% of ideal
body weight,
gastrectomy, and
jejunoileal bypass
 Children  4
years of age, or
infants, children
and adolescents
exposed to adults
at high-risk
†
For persons who are otherwise at low risk for TB and who are
tested at the start of employment, a reaction of 15 mm is
considered positive.

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