What Does Positive Mantoux Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 1 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 May 2014 Answered on

Thu, 22 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : sir i just gone under x ray of chest which is normal and blood & urine test normal including ESR WHICH IS 10 BUT MY MANTOUX TEST IS POSITIVE ONE THING DURING 72 HOURS I CONSUMED ALCOHOL SUGGEST ME IS I M INFECTED WITH T.B

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Healthy individual positive mantoux not significan

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear XXXX

Let me assure you one thing there is definitely no cause for concern.

Mantoux test is done by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) intradermal. Positive result only indicates hypersensitivity to the PPD component. In the absence of clinical symptoms it does not denote active disease. Mantoux test may be positive even in normal healthy individual due to following reasons
1. Past BCG immunization
2. Past subclinical infection: Majority of people especially in developing country are exposed to infection. They develop immunity without getting active disease

As mentioned by you that you have good health and Chest X ray is normal and there is no other other focus of disease elsewhere in body . Presence of positive Mantoux test does not carry any significance.

Rest be assured

In case you require any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care

Best Regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar