Assessment of tine tuberculin test

Mantoux (10 tuberculin units) and tine tuberculin tests were performed in 190 subjects and the results recorded at 48, 72, and 96 hours. Altogether 1010 readings were recorded. Of these, 555 (55%) were Mantoux-test positive and 525 (52%) tine-test positive. While the tine test is marginally less sensitive, its advantages are simplicity and ease and speed of application. It thus provides a useful screening test for eliciting tuberculin sensitivity.