Tine test

The Tine test is a multiple puncture tuberculin skin test used to aid in the medical diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).

This test uses a small "button" that has four to six short needles (tines) coated with TB antigens (tuberculin). The tines are pressed into the skin (usually on the inner side of the forearm), forcing the antigens into skin.

The test is read by measuring the size of the largest papule. A negative result is the presence of no papules.

Because it is not possible to precisely control the amount of tuberculin used in the tine test, a positive test should be verified using the Mantoux test. For this reason, the tine test is not as widely used as the Mantoux test and is considered to be less reliable. It is not recommended for use by the American Thoracic Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Mono-vacc Test (O.T.), Aplitest, and the Tine test are names of multiple tine tuberculin skin tests.

See also

• tuberculosis
• Mantoux test