Obi Okoye, MD

The tuberculin skin test is the most frequently used method for detecting asymptomatic latent tuberculosis infection. There is growing interest in other diagnostic tests for latent infection that might be simpler to administer, but the tuberculin skin test remains the preferred modality because of its ease of use and low cost. The decision to perform an annual test or a single test depends on the population each specific patient represents. Interpretation of the reaction to the test should be done by trained health care professionals, keeping in mind that factors such as immunization can cause false-negative or false-positive results.