The purified protein derivative is an antigen (a substance that
stimulates the immune system to eliminate or fight foreign
substances in the body), which is injected under the skin in the
forearem. After 48 to 72 hours the injection site is evaluated by a
physician. This skin test helps determine if a person has ever been
infected by the microorganism that causes tuberculosis.
Review Date: 12/07/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in
Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division
of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
