What is a PPD test?

A PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test is a test used to determine if you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is a serious infection, usually of the lungs, caused by bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosi that are spread by breathing air exhaled by an infected person. read more

The PPD skin test is not a perfect screening test. A few people infected with the bacteria that cause TB may not have a reaction. Also, diseases or medicines that weaken the immune system may cause a false-negative result. read more

A purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test is a test that determines if you have tuberculosis (TB). TB is a serious infection, usually of the lungs, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria spreads when you breathe in the air exhaled by a person infected with TB. The bacteria can remain inactive in your body for years. read more

The tuberculosis skin test is also known as the tuberculin test or PPD (purified protein derivative) test. The tuberculin skin test is based on the fact that infection with M. tuberculosis bacterium produces a delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction to certain components of the bacterium. read more