What type of test is the Mantoux test considered to be?

The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculin skin test, is considered a skin test that is used to determine if someone has been exposed to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). During the test, a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) is injected intradermally (just under the skin) on the forearm. After 48 to 72 hours, the injection site is examined for a reaction, typically the formation of a raised, hardened area at the injection site, which indicates a positive response.

The skin test is preferred for screening because it provides a localized response that indicates the body’s immune response to the TB bacteria without the need for blood or imaging studies. Blood tests or imaging tests, while helpful in some contexts, are not specifically designed to detect prior exposure to TB in the same way as the Mantoux test. Urine tests are typically used for different medical purposes and would not apply in this scenario. Thus, the classification of the Mantoux test as a skin test is accurate and supported by its method of administration and interpretation.