The Mantoux test is also known as which of the following?

The Mantoux test is also known as which of the following?

• A. Interferon-gamma release assay
• B. Chest X-ray
• C. Sputum culture
• D. Tuberculin skin test (TST)

Answer: (D)

The Mantoux test is a tuberculin skin test. It works by injecting a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) into the skin of the forearm and then checking for a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction by looking for induration after 48 to 72 hours. A positive result indicates TB infection (latent or active) depending on the person’s risk factors and the size of the induration, but it does not alone diagnose active disease.

This test is distinct from interferon-gamma release assays, which are blood tests that measure immune response to TB antigens, and from imaging like chest X-ray or microbiological tests like sputum culture. Understanding this helps clarify why the tuberculin skin test is the term that matches the Mantoux test.