What is Mantoux test?
The '''Mantoux test''' is a test developed to detect [[tuberculosis]]. In the year 1890, [[Robert Koch]] developed [[tuberculin]], as a treatment for tuberculosis. The substance proved ineffective to treat the disease, today it is commonly used to detect it, though. Tuberculin is a substance based on the [[pathogen]] that causes tuberculosis. [[Charles Mantoux]], a French [[physician]], developed a test method, based on the work of Koch. A positive test result simply says that the [[immune system]] came in contact with [[Mycobacterium|Mycobacteria]] - this does not necessarily mean that people with a positive test result have been [[infection|infected]] with tuberculosis. Such a result, which shows as positive, even though the outcome should be negative is called ''false positive''. The test shows the reaction of the immune system to tuberculin. This requires an intact immune system: People whose immune system is weakened, for example those with a [[HIV]] infection, may also show a ''false negative'': Their immune system may simply be too weak to react. Similarly, the use of certain substances, such as [[steroid]]s may lead to false negatives. {{med-stub}} [[Category:Immunization]] [[Category:Dermatology]] [[Category:Medical tests]]