Every modern person has heard of such a procedure as the Mantoux reaction. What it is? How is it carried out? For what? Are there any contraindications for this medical intervention? How to interpret the obtained results? The answers to all this and more will surely be found below. In fact, it is not difficult to study the action of Mantoux and everything connected with this reaction. The information will be useful mainly to parents of minor children. After all, it is this category of the population that most often faces the corresponding manipulations.
Short description
What is the Mantoux reaction? In the people it is called "button". This is a kind of test for the presence of tuberculosis in humans. An old, time-tested method for diagnosing the mentioned disease.
Mantoux is not a vaccine. Therefore, it has nothing to do with vaccination. It is carried out most often to children from the first year of life. Mantoux is rarely given to adults - for this category of the population there are other methods for diagnosing tuberculosis.
About the disease
Mantoux reaction is a test for tuberculosis. What is thisdisease?
Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Has an infectious nature. It is difficult and long treated, can lead to death. Transmitted by airborne droplets.
Koch's bacillus causes tuberculosis. This disease occurs in almost all countries, even vaccination does not help 100% protect the body from infection. The disease mainly affects the lungs and bones. As a result of this disease, the immune system is undermined.
That is why it is important to diagnose the disease in time. Tuberculosis in modern medicine is treated, but not always effectively. Nevertheless, annual diagnostics should not be neglected. It is available to the entire population, in Russia the Mantoux test is done free of charge.
Composition of the "vaccine"
Before getting acquainted with the results of the diagnostics, let's talk a little about the "vaccine" in general. What is Mantu? What does the corresponding "reagent" consist of?
The composition of the studied solution includes weakened tuberculosis cells. They, getting into the body, make the immune system work and fight with foreign components. You can't get sick from Mantoux.
In addition to tuberculin (the so-called weakened tuberculosis cells), the composition of the solution introduced into the body can be found:
- phenol;
- sodium chloride;
- stabilizer ("Twin").
It is worth paying attention to the fact that Mantoux does not contain protein components. This leads tothe introduction of a substance into the body is much less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Who is diagnosed
The Mantoux reaction, as we have already said, is a modern and fast way to check the human body for the presence of tuberculosis. It is worth remembering that the existing purified tuberculin does not react to BCG. Therefore, you should not be afraid of a false positive test result in the presence of a vaccination against tuberculosis.
Mantoux test is carried out in Russia massively. Children usually face this type of TB diagnosis. Once a year, an appropriate procedure is carried out to help immediately determine the presence of a disease in a child.
Mantoux reaction per year (at 12 months) is done for the first time. After that, the procedure is carried out annually. For example, in a kindergarten or in a district clinic. Modern parents can refuse Mantoux and do "Diaskintest" or donate blood for analysis.
In any case, the most commonly studied tuberculosis test is given to children. Adults almost never face such an operation. After all, for them there are faster and more universal ways to determine tuberculosis. But if desired, each person can sign up for the procedure being studied.
Important: Mantoux is often performed after treatment for tuberculosis and to determine the need for BCG revaccination.
How the procedure is done
Mantoux reaction norms will be presented later. First, a few words about how the appropriate diagnostics are carried out.
As already mentioned, Mantoux is not a vaccination. Solution with attenuated tuberculosiswand is administered intradermally. Fluid does not enter the veins and muscles.
The injection is placed on the inside of the forearm. Before the introduction of the solution, the skin is treated with alcohol, then the syringe needle is inserted. After the procedure, the needle is removed from the skin.
Important: the Mantoux test must be done in a sitting position.
What happens after the operation
The Mantoux reaction in adults and children "behaves" after the introduction of the appropriate solution is approximately the same. The result depends on the presence of tuberculosis in the body. Otherwise, the reaction of all people should be the same.
As a rule, after the introduction of a solution with purified tuberculin, a slight swelling occurs at the injection site. It's called a papule. It is for this component that the result of the diagnosis for tuberculosis will be evaluated in a few days.
What could be the result
We found out what the Mantoux reaction is. The norm in children and adults of this diagnosis, as already mentioned, will be approximately the same. But how to interpret the result?
The sample reaction can be:
- positive;
- negative;
- normal;
- doubtful.
Sometimes a false positive result occurs. It is considered doubtful. Next, we consider in more detail the norms of the Mantoux reaction in children and adults. The information below will help you quickly understand the results of the diagnostics.
Negative indicator
Normal Mantoux reactionmust be negative. This is a sign that the body has not encountered tuberculosis. With a similar picture, doctors carry out BCG revaccination.
As a rule, a negative result is the complete absence of any reaction to the introduced "reagent". That is, the injection site just heals. There should be no lumps or redness.
This picture indicates that the body has never encountered tuberculosis at all. Or contact took place, but so long ago that the immune system has long overcome Koch's wand.
Dubious result
The norm of the Mantoux reaction is the absence of any formations at the injection site of the solution with the reagent. But such a picture in the modern world is almost never found. Therefore, it is worth considering other options for the development of events.
As already mentioned, a person may face a questionable result of the diagnosis. This is the name of the reaction after Mantoux without seals. Under such circumstances, the skin at the injection site simply turns red.
The size of the blush also plays an important role. If the "affected" area is 2-4 millimeters, we can talk about the absence of Koch's sticks in the body.
Normal reaction
What the injection site looks like is shown in the photo. The norms of the Mantoux reaction are presented to our attention below. It is worth noting that doctors allow the formation of small papules after the introduction of the studied solution. This phenomenon is considered normal.
In general, the size of the seal depends on the age of the child and ontraces of "buttons". In addition, the date of the BCG vaccination plays a role.
In children of the first year of life, the sample rate can be up to 17 millimeters. Typically, such indicators are found in the presence of a large (up to 8 millimeters) trace from the "button". If the footprint is small, the normal Mantoux is about 1.1 cm.
Below is a table that helps to judge the norms of the Mantoux reaction depending on the age of the baby and the duration of the BCG vaccination.
Positive performance
Of course, when diagnosing for the presence of tuberculosis, a person may encounter a positive result. When does a papule indicate a recent or ongoing infection in a patient?
A positive Mantoux reaction is characterized by the appearance of redness and induration. It is customary to divide the results like this:
- mild reaction - from 5 to 9 millimeters;
- average severity - 10-14 millimeters;
- pronounced reaction - 15-16 millimeters;
- excessive - over 17 millimeters.
Accordingly, the observed pattern indicates that the body is currently fighting tuberculosis or has recently overcome the corresponding infection.
Important: the color of Mantou also plays a role. Usually the inflammation is pinkish in color. A bluish tint to the reaction indicates a positive TB test result.
Blister effect
Negative Mantoux reaction indicates the absence of Koch's bacillus in the body. But sometimes you may encounter the so-calledturn or blister effect.
This situation is characterized by a sharp increase in the area of redness by more than 6 millimeters. A "pivot" is also called a sudden change in a negative reaction to a positive one without the introduction of an appropriate vaccine.
Important: with a blister effect, doctors begin to suspect tuberculosis in a person. For a more accurate diagnosis, a child or an adult is sent to a TB dispensary.
Another indication for referral to a dispensary is the presence of a large sample (more than 16 millimeters) of Mantoux in a person over the past 4 years.
How readings are taken
We studied the photo and norms of the Mantoux reaction. And how to "remove" readings after the diagnosis? It's pretty simple!
The doctor or nurse takes an ordinary transparent ruler and applies it to one of the edges of the papule. Next, the diameter of the swelling and redness is assessed. The obtained indicators are recorded in the patient's medical record.
Accordingly, anyone can independently evaluate the results obtained as a result of diagnostics. But, as a rule, the procedure is carried out by medical professionals.
Visit to a phthisiatrician
So, we have studied the current information on the interpretation of the Mantoux reaction. What to do if a child or adult is referred to a TB dispensary?
Many fear this outcome. After all, in TB dispensaries you can meet with infected patients. Fortunately, this usually doesn't happen. The patient just goes to the phthisiatrician. The specialist prescribes additional tests forclarifying diagnostics. In addition, he can repeat Mantoux or do "Diaskintest". The latest diagnosis is more accurate and up-to-date.
TB doctor usually refers a person with suspected TB:
- take a chest x-ray;
- take a blood test for tuberculosis;
- perform sputum examination.
Even after a complete refutation of dubious or false evidence, a TB doctor may prescribe a course of treatment with anti-TB drugs on a "just in case" basis. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the prescribed medications are serious drugs. They must be taken with caution, and it is not recommended to injure the body with such substances "for safety net".
Important: if a person is suspected of having tuberculosis, a full examination should be requested. Today, a blood test called TB-SPOT can be taken to confirm the absence of infection in many cities. This is the most informative means of diagnosing the infection mentioned earlier.
What can affect the final result
In today's world, Mantoux reactions in children (photos of various results have been brought to attention) are becoming obsolete. The thing is that this is not the most accurate diagnostic method, but only it was previously used. Therefore, many still rely on a similar procedure.
The main problem is that more than 50 factors can affect the diagnostic result. Among them are quite often distinguished:
- chronic diseases;
- inflammatory processes;
- recent illnesses (even a common cold distorts the result);
- adenoids;
- prone to allergic reactions;
- heredity.
It must be remembered that Mantoux will have to be properly looked after for 3-4 days. That is, until the papule is measured. Otherwise, the result will be distorted.
How to properly care for a sample
To ensure that the Mantoux reaction does not grow in children, it must be properly looked after. Adults usually have no problems with "supervision" of the injection site. But minors have to be tightly controlled.
Parents should ensure that children do not scratch or rub the injection site. Because of this, redness grows. As a result, you can get a false positive or questionable result.
Before measuring the papule, you can not wet the injection site. This requirement will also have to be strictly observed.
Doctors recommend to refrain from eating sweets and allergenic foods. This is necessary in order not to provoke an unnecessary allergic reaction in the child.
Important: the needle insertion site must be open. It cannot be tied or bandaged. The skin must "breathe".
Vaccinations and diagnostics
Perhaps that's all. The tips suggested earlier will help to avoid problems with distorting the results of diagnostics for tuberculosis. But adults and children should pay attention to a few more nuances.
For example, consider what to doMantoux after vaccination should not be. The results will be stunning. This is due to the presence of preservatives in vaccines, which increase redness at the injection site when interacting with tuberculin.
Side effects
In addition, it is worth remembering that any injection is an interference with the normal functioning of the body. And therefore, citizens may face a number of side effects.
This is sometimes referred to as allergies. In this case, Mantoux grows to 20 millimeters or more. A similar situation is observed in all allergy sufferers.
In addition, you may encounter such "side effects":
- cough;
- sluggishness;
- general malaise;
- skin rashes;
- fever;
- gastric disorders.
In general, side effects resemble intoxication. Usually no special treatment is required. Therefore, you just need to wait.
Conclusion
We got acquainted with the photo of the Mantoux reaction in children and adults. In addition, we were able to get acquainted with important information on the appropriate diagnosis.
Now everyone can decide for himself whether he should agree to such a procedure. At the moment, the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is carried out in different ways. And so Mantoux is being abandoned more and more often. After all, as already mentioned, this is not the most accurate method for determining the presence of a tubercle bacillus in the body.
