Mantoux reaction in children

The tuberculin sample is subcutaneousthe introduction of tuberculin. Tuberculin is an extract of mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis in humans or animals. Contrary to a common misconception, tuberculin does not contain the tubercle bacillus, and It is impossible to catch tuberculosis from a tuberculin test!! The Mantoux reaction in children shows whether there is a tuberculous infection in the body.

The reaction is checked after at least 48 hours, andbetter - 72 hours after the introduction of tuberculin. The latest verification time is in a week. Measure the transverse size of the reaction (i.e., across the length of the arm), and also see if there is redness or condensation. The Mantoux reaction in children can be negative, questionable or positive.

Negative the Mantoux reaction will occur if there is only a knock-off reaction at the injection site (0-1 mm). Doubtful reaction It is the redness of the skin of any size at the site of the injection or a seal up to 5 mm in size.

The positive Mantoux reaction can be of different kinds. "Button" with a diameter of 5-9 mm indicatesweakly positive reaction. Sealing of 10-14 mm is a positive reaction of medium intensity. A pronounced positive reaction has a diameter of 11-16 mm. There is also a hyperergic reaction with a diameter of more than 17 mm.

In itself, a positive Mantoux reaction does not mean that the child is sick with tuberculosis. There are many reasons why the Mantoux reaction in children can be enlarged. Often a positive reaction is a consequence of the recent vaccination against tuberculosis - BCG.

In fact, any vaccine is a neutralizedthe causative agent of a disease. It is unable to cause the disease, but the body learns to respond to the pathogen, as a result, immunity is produced. Despite the fact that BCG vaccine is harmless, after vaccination in the body of the child is present strain of bovine tubercle bacillus, which gives a positive Mantoux reaction when interacting with tuberculin.

Besides, positive Mantoux reaction in children can be observed in allergic diseases. Response to tuberculin is one of the mostvarieties of allergic reactions, so if the child is allergic to certain foods, medicines, and in general any of the allergies, the Mantoux test may be positive. And here it's not a tuberculosis infection, but the fact that the body in principle reacts sharply to allergens.

Also, the sample result may be affected by improper handling of the sample. The location of the sample can not be wetted, rubbed, combed, treated with antiseptics and sealed with adhesive tape. Another reason for the positive reaction may be: weakened organism after the transferredinfections, newly vaccinated (any, not just BCG), chronic diseases, a small age (up to a year), an unfavorable ecological situation in the region.

The Mantoux test is not done with skin diseases, allergiesdiseases and conditions, epilepsy, individual intolerance to tuberculin, acute and chronic infections in the acute stage, and quarantine for childhood infections.

When should a positive Mantoux reaction in children cause concern? It is necessary to consult a children's phthisiatrist,if with each probe (that is, every year) the sensitivity to tuberculin increases. The reason for concern may be a sharp increase in the sample (more than half a centimeter) compared to last year.

You also need to see a doctor if the child has recently been in a region with increased circulation of tuberculosis, has been in contact with a person who has an open form of tuberculosis, and if the family has relatives infected or sick with tuberculosis.

The Mantoux test is not a whim or a formality. Tuberculosis infection is somehow present in the body of most people, just not in all cases it causes the disease. The Mantoux reaction in children is conducted in order to learn the reaction of the child's organism to infection and take preventive measures in advance, so that you do not have to treat a child from tuberculosis.