Trial for tuberculosis (Diaskintest) and why is it needed?
Diaskintest for tuberculosis is indicated when:
- there is reason to fear infection;
- you need to evaluate the activity of the process;
- it is necessary to identify people with a high risk of transition of the disease to an active stage;
- you need to perform differential diagnostics;
- it is necessary to identify the presence of an allergy to infection or an allergy to the BCG vaccine or Mantoux sample.
The reaction to tuberculosis (Diaskintest) is carried out by both adults and children. It can be performed both for preventive purposes and in cases of proven infection. For maximum accuracy, this test should be accompanied by a clinical, laboratory and radiological examination, which in cases of a positive test result should be performed in an anti-tuberculosis facility.
How is tuberculosis screened (Diaskintest)?
This is a normal intradermal test performed with the help of tuberculin syringes. The drug is injected under the skin, as is usually the case with Mantoux. The injection is performed in the middle third of the forearm on the arm on which the Mantoux test was not performed.
The result is evaluated by the doctor strictly after three days. To do this, use a transparent ruler. The result is recognized as negative if there is only a knock-off reaction. But if there is redness at the injection site, or the skin structure is changed (especially if there are ulcers and vesicles), then the test is evaluated as positive. In this case, anti-tuberculosis drugs should be prescribed, the accuracy and accuracy of which will depend on the effectiveness of the treatment in the future. If the patient takes the medicine incorrectly and irregularly, then the bacteria can stop "being afraid" of the medication, so that the disease will go to a form called drug-resistant. This form is sometimes incurable.
It happens that the test shows a negative result, while the Mantoux test is positive. This suggests that in the human body there are antibodies to the stick Koch (mycobacteria, due to which infection occurs). This is usually caused by BCG vaccination and is the norm, but if the doctor still prescribes treatment, then they should not be neglected.
Diaskintest for tuberculosis: contraindications
Contraindications to the test, as a rule, include certain time periods. In particular, it can not be carried out:
if the patient has any diseases in the acute stage; - if skin diseases are expressed in an acute stage;
- if a person is prone to allergies, or an allergic disease is exacerbated;
- if a quarantine is declared.
In addition, the infection test can not be performed within one month after the BCG vaccination, as well as simultaneously with the Mantoux test. It is important that the patient stays seated at the time of injection.
Age is not a contraindication to analysis.
After the treatment of tuberculosis Diaskintest is performed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. However, this evaluation method should be combined with other methods.