Tuberculin Test is a skin test used to determine whether or not a child has been infected with TUBERCULOSIS (TB); the test is used to diagnose suspected cases of tuberculosis, prior to vaccination against the disease. During the test, the skin is first disinfected and a small dose of tuberculin (a protein extract of the tuberculosis bacilli) is introduced into the skin in one of a variety of ways.

In the Mantoux test the extract is injected into the skin with a needle; in the Sterneedle test the extract is dropped on the forearm as a spring-loaded instrument circled with a sharp prong forces the tuberculin into the skin. After 48 to 72 hours, the skin is inspected at the site; if the skin is unchanged, the reaction is negative, indicating the person has never been exposed to tuberculosis and has no immunity.

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