What is a Mantoux test?

Tuberculosis skin test (or Mantoux skin test) is a test needed prior to the BCG vaccination to check it’s safe to have the vaccine. This is offered to anyone aged 7 and above who has not previously received the BCG vaccine, or has no recorded history or visible BCG scar.

Healthcare workers or people planning to study or work abroad are normally required by their employers or institutions to provide a Mantoux test to show they do not have TB.

About the test

TB/Mantoux skin test is done in 2 parts/appointments:

• Part 1:
  During your first visit, tiny amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin (intradermal), in the forearm. Tuberculin is a sterile extract purified protein derivative (PPD) made from the bacteria that cause TB.After receiving the injection, a small, pale bump will form at the site.The test is usually well-tolerated, and people rarely have negative reactions to it.
• Part 2:
  The second visit should take place 48 to 72 hours later. At this appointment, the healthcare professional will look at your skin to see how it reacted to the tuberculin. Your skin’s reaction will help determine if you’ve been infected with TB.

If you wait longer than 72 hours, you’ll have to start over with a new test and new injection.

Results/Reading

If you’ve had the BCG vaccination, you may have a mild skin reaction to the Mantoux test. This does not necessarily mean you have latent TB.

If you have a latent TB infection, your skin will be sensitive to PPD tuberculin and a small, hard red bump will develop at the site of the injection, usually within 48 to 72 hours of having the test.

If you have a very strong skin reaction, you may need a chest X-ray to confirm whether you have active TB disease.

If you do not have a latent infection, your skin will not react to the Mantoux test. However, as TB can take a long time to develop, you may need to be screened again at a later stage.

Depending on the reaction, you may be offered the TB IGRA (Quantiferon Gold) blood test to measure the immune response to TB proteins in blood (in other words, to determine whether someone has caught TB), or referred to the TB Chest Clinic for further management and treatment. This will be arranged for you at the clinic or you can self-refer (details will be provided).

If you test negative, you can have the BCG vaccine.

The TB IGRA (Interferon gamma release assay) Blood Test

The interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) is a blood test for TB that’s becoming more widely available.

The IGRA may be used to help diagnose latent TB:

• if you have a positive Mantoux test
• if you previously had the BCG vaccination – the Mantoux test may not be reliable in these cases
• as part of your TB screening if you’ve just moved to the UK from a country where TB is common
• as part of a health check when you register with a GP
• if you’re about to have treatment that will suppress your immune system
• if you’re a healthcare worker

Where to get a Mantoux skin Test nearby?

Mantoux skin testing is available at Olive Health and Travel Clinic. Our address is 23A Seven Ways Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford IG2 6JX

To book an appointment, please call us on 02085502276, or email us on contact@olivehealthandtravel.co.uk.

For charges, please see our Pricing page.