Tuberculin skin test
The tuberculin skin test (also known as the Mantoux test) is one of the tests that can be used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB).
The main use of the tuberculin skin test is to identify people who may be infected with TB bacteria but do not have active disease. This is known as latent TB infection. Not everyone with latent TB infection will develop active TB disease.
The tuberculin skin test may be given to people who:
- have been in contact with a person diagnosed with tuberculosis
- are from high TB risk groups
- have migrated from countries where tuberculosis is common
- are at risk at work, such as healthcare professionals
- will be travelling for a considerable amount of time to a TB high risk country
- have travelled for a considerable amount of time to a high TB risk country. Such people are requested to book in for a tuberculin skin test 12 weeks after returning to Queensland.
The tuberculin skin test may also be used prior to BCG vaccination.
The test is free of charge through Queensland Health TB services.
Patient fact sheets
Read more about the Tuberculin skin test:
Translated fact sheets are available for the following languages:
- Arabic
- Burmese
- Chinese
- Dari
- Farsi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Pidgin
- Thai
- Creole
- Vietnamese