What you need to know the mother of the Mantoux test

This mini-injection from childhood is familiar to everyone: not scary and not hurt, even curious. However, the current ambiguous attitude towards vaccination, some parents doubt: do I need this Mantoux test?


And doctors will counter: first, it is not a vaccine, secondly, very much needed! And here's why.




Background

This method has many names: pirquet test, tuberculin, PPD test. But the essence is one: introduction of small doses of tuberculin (extraction of the neutralized microbes - bacilli). This drug was invented in 1890 by the German physician Robert Koch, and for the diagnosis of tuberculosis began to apply the Austrian pediatrician Clemens pirquet from 1907 (then tuberculin struck on specially damaged skin). Later on, a French physician Charles Mantoux test suggested another modification of the test - intracutaneous injection of tuberculin.






You need to know! In Ukraine, this method is used since 1965. And has not lost its relevance today - alas, our country, who still refers to those in which the activity of TB is very high.






When, whom and how

The Mantoux test is performed for all children 1 time per year, beginning one year of age. It is important that at the time the baby was healthy (allergic reactions, acute infectious diseases or chronic in the acute stage is a temporary contraindication), so that the manipulation was not preceded by any vaccination can "lubricate" the picture. The test results are assessed in 72 hours: this is measured diameter formed papules (inflammatory "plaques" or "buttons"), not redness, according to some parents. By the way, mishandling of the "button" may give the wrong response!






You need to know! The injection site should not be wet, comb, seal adhesive plaster smeared green paint and other antiseptics.







React!

So, tuberculin penetrated into the body. What happens next? In the place of injection, a small inflammation caused by the accumulation of T-lymphocytes specific blood cells responsible for cellular immunity. Fragments of Mycobacterium attract lymphocytes from passing nearby blood vessels. But come into play not all - only those that are already at least partially "familiar" with the tubercle Bacillus. And the more of these the more intense inflammation, the "better" response.






You need to know! If, in the hospital, the child was not vaccinated with BCG (against tuberculosis), then any non-negative reaction is indicative of infection with tuberculosis.







The results
At first glance, everything is simple: the reaction can be of three types.




Negative.

Seal none (or less than 1 mm), then the body is not familiar with the causative agents of tuberculosis.

Doubtful. Papule not more than 4 mm (or redness), then the bacteria is there, but very few of them.

A positive. Seal size 5-16 mm, then tuberculosis bacteria were already in the body. But what is that - c "residues" BCG or present tuberculosis, to determine not so easy. As a rule, doctors focus on changes in reaction to a Mantoux test within a few years.



You need to know! In the TB dispensary (for additional analyses and consultations of TB) child directed, if the pimple more than 17 mm, or sensitivity grows from year to year, or there is a sharp jump in the reaction: for example, typically the pimple was 10 mm, and became 16.




Suspicious "positive"

In modern children are quite often large "buttons", but be afraid ahead of time is not worth it.






First, toddlers ages 1-3 years this reaction may be related to the age peculiarities of the development of the immune system. And the crumbs under 12 months makes no sense to assign a Mantoux test - the result will be unreliable or inaccurate due to the residual from BCG, Bacillus, which, interacting with tuberculin, can give "positive".






Second, the reaction to tuberculin is one of the varieties of allergies. And because children with allergies a lot today, and false-positive Mantoux test. To provoke the "wrong" reaction can and food Allergy, and medical and allergic dermatitis.






Thirdly, can interfere contributing factors. For example, a recent infectious disease, hidden worm infestation, excessive skin sensitivity.






You need to know! Even lack of balance in the diet of the baby and poor environmental conditions may become provocateurs unnecessary in this case, the "positive"! So leave the deciphering of the doctor - he knows better.







It is important

The Mantoux test should not be considered inoculation, because they do not produce immunity to tuberculosis, and the only controls available and identifies possible infection at an early stage. Be contracted by skin test cannot - microbacteria in the hood destroyed!

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