Inadequate sensitivity of tuberculin tine test for screening employee populations

Tuberculin Tine and Mantoux skin tests were simultaneously applied to opposite arms of 1,065 medical center employees during their usual preemployment and annual health examinations for the purpose of evaluating the Tine test sensitivity. Of 829 skin tests read, 39 (5%) were positive by the Mantoux method. Tine tests were positive in 27 of the 39: a sensitivity of 69% and a false-negative rate of 31%. In view of these results, the tuberculin tine test is not sensitive enough and is not indicated for employee screening programs when finding tuberculosis infection, and not disease, is the primary goal.