(1) Tuberculin skin testing with tuberculin purified protein derivative is used to screen persons for latent tuberculosis infection.(2) Sputum culture and smears, tuberculin testing, and radiography are all essentially 19th century inventions.(3) The usual screening test for tuberculosis is the Mantoux skin test with five tuberculin units of purified protein derivative.(4) The tuberculin skin test is used to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection, but it requires two visits and skilled personnel for test placement and interpretation.(5) All pregnant patients with HIV infection should also undergo tuberculin skin testing as part of their routine prenatal care.
