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

If you have experienced tuberculosis (TB) exposure or have symptoms, Medicare may cover a purified protein derivative (PPD) test. If you don’t have symptoms and haven’t experienced TB exposure, ...

Medicare may cover the costs of a purified protein derivative (PPD) test if a person has symptoms or has been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). If not, Medicare will likely deny coverage as it would ...

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 ...

Q: Before starting school, I had to have a “PPD skin test” to check to see if I was ever exposed to tuberculosis. Why couldn’t I just have a blood test or chest x-ray? A: Actually, there is a blood ...

The following scenario emphasizes the necessity of creating a wheal while administering the Mantoux test. A 46-year-old Asian man who recently immigrated to the United States was seen for routine ...

Skin tuberculosis is just one of the ways that this bacterial infection can affect your body. While less contagious than some types of tuberculosis, it can still be spread from person to person. Skin ...

Medicare Part B may cover the costs of a purified protein derivative (PPD) test if your healthcare professional deems it necessary to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) due to existing symptoms. A PPD test ...