tuberculin

/tju:'bə:kjulin/

Thân thiện

A nurse administers a tuberculin skin test on a patient's forearm.

Definition

Noun: 1. A sterile liquid containing a purified protein derivative of the tuberculosis bacterium; used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis: Tuberculin is a substance prepared from cultures of the tubercle bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is used in skin tests to determine if a person has been infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor administered a tuberculin skin test to check for exposure to TB.
  • A positive reaction to tuberculin indicates a likely past or present infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Advanced Usage

• "Tuberculin test": A diagnostic procedure, such as the Mantoux test, where tuberculin is injected into the skin. The body's reaction is measured to assess for a tuberculosis infection.
  • All healthcare workers must undergo an annual tuberculin test.

Variants and Related Words

• Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) (n): The standard method for detecting TB infection, often called the Mantoux test.
• Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) (n): The specific antigenic component used in tuberculin for skin testing.

Synonyms

• PPD: (Purified Protein Derivative) The active component of tuberculin used in testing.
• Tuberculin PPD: Another name for the diagnostic preparation.

Notes on Meaning

Tuberculin itself is not a vaccine but a diagnostic agent. It is distinct from the BCG vaccine, which is used for immunization against tuberculosis. A positive tuberculin test does not necessarily mean a person has active tuberculosis disease; it indicates an immune response to the bacteria, which could be from a latent infection, past infection, or BCG vaccination.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a sterile liquid containing a purified protein derivative of the tuberculosis bacterium; used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis