Multiple-Puncture and Mantoux Tuberculin Tests in High School Students

Abstract

Mantoux and multiple-puncture tuberculin tests were used to simultaneously test 1,914 high school students. All students received 0.1 cc of intermediate-strength purified protein derivative tuberculin (five tuberculin units) intradermally in one arm. In the other arm, tuberculin tine tests were given to 1,181 students and Heaf tests to 733. The reactor rate (positive to one or both tests) was approximately 4%. When compared to the Mantoux test, both multiple-puncture tests had high sensitivity and specificity. Ease and speed of administration constitute advantages of the multiple-puncture techniques over the Mantoux test for mass screening programs in high school students.