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What Causes Persistent Cough And Positive Mantoux Test?
Question: hi MANTOUX SKIN TEST POSITIVE, SPUTUM AFB NEGATIVE FOR THREE DAYS, X-RAY CLEAR , PERSISTANT COUGH FOR THE PAST ONE MONTH NO WEIGHT LOSS. MY DOCTOR SAYS TB IS RULED OUT. PLEASE ADVISE ME
Brief Answer:
NO clinical singinficance of mantoux test alone.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Health Care Magic,
I have read your query and reviewed all the reports you attached.
Let me assure you first that there is definitely NO cause for concern here since Mantoux test alone has no clinical importance as it can be positive in many people without any evidence of Tuberculosis.
Mantoux test is done by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) intra-dermally.
Positive result only indicates hypersensitivity to the PPD component. In the absence of significant clinical symptoms (no weight loss) and considering negative sputum,blood with clear chest x-ray,it does NOT denote active disease.
Mantoux test may be positive even in normal healthy individual due to following reasons,
i) Past BCG immunization
ii). Past subclinical infection: Majority of people especially in developing country are exposed to infection. They develop antibodies to fight against the TB infection, which is detected by this test.
As mentioned by you that your blood and three days sputum tests came negative with chest X ray is normal,presence of positive Mantoux test does NOT carry any clinical significance.
However,you may go for Quantiferon Gold Test (known as TB GOLD test) for TB for a safer side and to clear remaining doubt.
Rest be assured.You can continue the medications prescribed by your doctor.
Take care,
Hope this answers your query and let me know if you need more help.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
NO clinical singinficance of mantoux test alone.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Health Care Magic,
I have read your query and reviewed all the reports you attached.
Let me assure you first that there is definitely NO cause for concern here since Mantoux test alone has no clinical importance as it can be positive in many people without any evidence of Tuberculosis.
Mantoux test is done by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) intra-dermally.
Positive result only indicates hypersensitivity to the PPD component. In the absence of significant clinical symptoms (no weight loss) and considering negative sputum,blood with clear chest x-ray,it does NOT denote active disease.
Mantoux test may be positive even in normal healthy individual due to following reasons,
i) Past BCG immunization
ii). Past subclinical infection: Majority of people especially in developing country are exposed to infection. They develop antibodies to fight against the TB infection, which is detected by this test.
As mentioned by you that your blood and three days sputum tests came negative with chest X ray is normal,presence of positive Mantoux test does NOT carry any clinical significance.
However,you may go for Quantiferon Gold Test (known as TB GOLD test) for TB for a safer side and to clear remaining doubt.
Rest be assured.You can continue the medications prescribed by your doctor.
Take care,
Hope this answers your query and let me know if you need more help.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Answered by
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