False positives in these types of tests, which identify immune markers rather than the disease-causing bacteria, can happen for a few reasons.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My daughter’s doctor said her PPD was positive and sent her for a chest X-ray to rule out TB. Is it possible to have a false-positive result? Her pediatrician says she should follow ...

might be less likely to return for TB skin test reading and interpretation (eg, people experiencing homelessness or people who use drugs); The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is also called the TB skin ...

Ten years ago, a colleague’s purified protein derivative (PPD) test was read by several physicians as being positive at 13-mm induration. Disturbed by the results, we tried testing with PPD again. The ...

The bacteria that cause the disease can be spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or even just speaking. People nearby can inhale the airborne germs. The vaccine Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is ...