Comparison of Tuberculin Testing Between Mono-Vacc and Mantoux

¹ Director, Division of Tuberculosis Control, Erie County Department of Health, Buffalo, New York

The Mono-Vacc tuberculin test was evaluated as a screening device and was compared with the Mantoux (PPD, 5 TU). A total of 2,022 subjects were tested simultaneously with these two tests. Results from each test were read separately and independently by two readers 72 hours after administration. When the presence of any detectable induration was considered a positive Mono-Vacc reaction and compared to a positive Mantoux reaction of 10 mm or greater, Mono-Vacc produced no false negatives and 1 percent false positives. When induration of 6 mm or greater was considered a positive Mono-Vacc reaction and compared to a positive Mantoux reaction of 10 mm or greater, Mono-Vacc produced 3.3 percent false negatives and 0.26 percent false positives. This preliminary report on a relatively small population sample reveals good agreement between the Mono-Vacc and Mantoux tests and indicates that Mono-Vacc is a reliable test for screening purposes.