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Mantoux and heaf multiple puncture tuberculin tests: Comparison in BCG vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects

1956; Churchill Livingstone; Volume: 37; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0041-3879(56)80117-7

1878-6006

Eugene Low,

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research

420 BCG-vaccinated and 620 unvaccinated subjects received Mantoux 10 T.U. and Heaf multiple puncture tests. The preparatory work required for the Heaf tests was insignificant compared with that required for the Mantoux tests. The Heaf test gave 15 per cent more positive reactions in the vaccinated subjects and 7 per cent in the unvaccinated. The Heaf reactions are easier to read than the Mantoux reactions, especially in vaccinated subjects. In general, the reactions in a group of vaccinated subjects are qualitatively dissimilar from the reactions in an unvaccinated group. This is seen with both the Mantoux test and the Heaf test. It is suggested that, at least in the province of Saskatchewan, a Heaf reaction showing as little as one definitely indurated papule should be read as positive. The 10 T.U. Mantoux test is less satisfactory than the Heaf test in detecting individuals who have been sensitized to tuberculin, especially in those over 60. The 10 T.U. Mantoux test produced more very intense reactions than the Heaf test in the proportion of 10 to 4 in this series of cases. It is concluded that the Heaf test is superior to the 10 T.U. Mantoux test for tuberculin survey work. Its main advantages are simplicity of preparation, ease of administration, greater sensitivity, fewer doubtful reactions, and fewer reactions with complications.