DIASKINTEST® - MODERN IMMUNOLOGICAL TEST FOR SCREENING FOR TUBERCULOSIS

Compound

It is worth immediately noting that the drug does not contain either live tuberculosis bacteria or their metabolic products.

The composition contains only antigens of synthetic origin, which, when they enter the human body, are recognized by the immune system as pathogens of the disease.

The diagnostic preparation also contains auxiliary components: saline solution, phenol, polysorbate, potassium phosphate and sodium. All these substances are included in the composition in small quantities and do not have a negative effect on the body.

In what cases is it better to postpone Diaskintest?

Diaskintest is more sensitive than the Mantoux test, but it is seriously influenced by the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, his state of health and external factors.

In what cases is it better to refrain from vaccination:

1. For infectious diseases, colds, rhinitis. The presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood provokes a false-positive or false-negative result, so doctors recommend postponing the diaskin test until complete recovery and require additional tests.
2. During pregnancy. Cases of individual intolerance to the components of the drug are rare, but possible, so it is better not to do the test while you are expecting a child if you are not at risk.
3. Allergy. Diaskintest is not contraindicated for allergy sufferers, however, without prior preparation, its completion will cause complications: a severe allergic reaction, acute bronchitis, tracheitis. It is advisable to refrain from vaccination during the period of active pathogens.
4. Quarantine period. If there is a high probability of contracting an infectious disease, doctors themselves recommend postponing the procedure, as it will most likely give a false result.

If the doctor insists on taking the test, despite contraindications, make sure that information about the current state of health is fully included in the medical record.

Timing and indications for Diaskintest

The main indication for conducting a diagnostic test is the detection of tuberculosis among the population under the age of 18 years. Diaskintest is a screening test. As a rule, the test is given annually to children from 8 to 17 years old, but other options are also possible:

• DST is indicated once every 6 months if the child has not been vaccinated with the BCG vaccine within the period established by the national calendar.
• Children aged 1 to 8 years can be tested only if tuberculosis is suspected as a result of a positive Mantoux test.

Statement of DST is possible no earlier than a month after acute infectious diseases or vaccination and 2 months after receiving a negative result. If the test is positive, a repeat test is allowed as soon as possible.

WHEN IS DIASKINTEST USED?

In children under 7 years of age:

• differential diagnosis of post-vaccination and infectious allergies;
• assessment of the activity of the tuberculosis process (if calcifications and traces of a previous infection are detected) in combination with other clinical, laboratory and x-ray methods;
• differential diagnosis of tuberculosis in combination with other clinical, laboratory and x-ray studies;
• assessment of the effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis treatment in combination with other methods.

In children over 7 years of age and adolescents:

• diagnosis of tuberculosis and identification of persons at high risk of developing active tuberculosis (screening)7;
• assessment of the activity of the tuberculosis process;
• differential diagnosis of tuberculosis in combination with other clinical, laboratory and x-ray studies;
• assessment of the effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis treatment in combination with other methods.

In adults:

• diagnosis of tuberculosis and identification of individuals at high risk of developing active tuberculosis;
• assessment of the activity of the tuberculosis process;
• differential diagnosis of tuberculosis in combination with other clinical, laboratory and x-ray studies;
• assessment of the effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis treatment in combination with other methods;
• Attention! BCG vaccination does not affect the results of Diaskintest.

Recommendations after testing

After conducting a diagnostic study until the results are monitored, it is recommended:

• Avoid intense workouts.
• Avoid prolonged contact with water.
• Limit walking in low temperatures.
• Do not expose the injection site to direct sunlight.
• Avoid mechanical external influences (do not scratch, touch, or rub the area where the drug is administered).

WHY DO YOU NEED DIASKIN?

Many people confuse Diaskintest with a vaccine. But this is not true at all. There is no point in refusing the test, since up to 95% of adults today are infected with Koch's bacillus. That is, they are carriers of tuberculosis bacteria. This carriage is called the latent form of the disease - when a person is not sick, but the disease can develop under certain conditions. This option is observed in 1% of patients. Moreover, the infectious process can be asymptomatic for a long time. Without testing, it is impossible to identify it only by external signs. And the earlier the tuberculosis process is detected, the higher the patient’s chances of recovery.

Decoding the results

Pediatricians and therapists evaluate the results of DST. There are three possible interpretations:

1. Negative. This result indicates that there are no active tuberculosis bacteria in the patient’s body.

At the injection site, you can see a direct injection mark and a slight bruise.

1. Positive. This result is characterized by the appearance of redness and infiltration at the injection site of the diagnostic drug.

A compaction of more than 15 mm may indicate an active infectious process in the body. In this situation, you should also pay attention to the lymph nodes, which may be inflamed and enlarged.

1. Doubtful. Most often observed during the formation of a large bruise, when assessing the size of true hyperemia and infiltration is problematic. In such a situation, a repeat study is indicated.

Attention! When performing Diaskintest, false results are possible. Their causes are non-compliance with doctor’s recommendations, the development of an allergic reaction to the drug and the presence of autoimmune diseases in the patient.

Is it possible to do Diaskintest for a sick child?

Before the test, both adults and children undergo a medical examination. A health check is necessary, since it is impossible to do a diaskintest if you are ill, especially with damage to the respiratory tract.

Restrictions are necessary due to the nature of the test. During the procedure, instead of a pathogen, genetically modified proteins are introduced into the blood, causing a reaction only if the tuberculosis bacillus is present in it. In an organism affected by pathogens, the immune system is activated to fight pathogens, which distorts the test results.

Vaccination against the background of the disease causes the following side effects:

• allergy;
• increased symptoms of the disease;
• decreased immunity;
• heat;
• compaction at the injection site.

There is no point in doing a test during illness, but the doctor may suggest performing the procedure if there is a slight runny nose unaccompanied by other symptoms. In this case, the choice of whether to give the baby a test or to postpone the procedure remains with the parents. However, no specialist will insist on conducting a test in the midst of an epidemic.

Is it possible to do Diaskintest if you have a cold?

Testing for tuberculosis when you have a cold is not recommended. The presence of infection in the body is likely to distort its effect. Colds often cause a false-positive result, and further tests do not detect tuberculosis.

A cold can easily develop into or be the first symptom of any serious respiratory disease. Complications that can harm all body functions are also possible.

The following side effects occur as a consequence of getting vaccinated during a cold:

1. Increased symptoms.
2. Headache.
3. Nausea.
4. Dizziness.

A cold, no matter how mild it may seem, is an absolute contraindication for Diaskintest. Vaccination should be postponed until complete recovery.

Is it possible to do Diaskintest for coughing?

The cough itself is only a symptom. It occurs for various reasons, which include:

• cold;
• acute respiratory diseases;
• stress;
• osteochondrosis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• increased stomach acidity;
• smoking.

All this is related to health problems, but only in case of cough caused by a cold or infectious diseases, the discintest is contraindicated.

In some cases, "smoker's cough" may be a sign of chronic bronchitis. An examination is necessary to find out for sure.

Before getting vaccinated, you need to determine the cause of your cough, then the doctor will be able to tell you for sure whether you can undergo the test. The cough that appears after Diaskintest is most likely an allergic reaction.

Is it possible to do the Diaskin test at a temperature

If elevated temperature is a symptom of an infectious disease, diaskintest cannot be performed.

In the case when the temperature is not accompanied by other signs of a cold, the reasons are as follows:

• stress;
• increase in external temperature;
• physical activity;
• any injury (cut, foreign body, frostbite, burn);
• spoiled food;
• allergy;
• drinking alcohol or hot drinks.

There are no visible contraindications for vaccination. However, it is advisable to postpone the test at a temperature, since it itself sometimes provokes an increase in temperature against the background of an allergic reaction.

In women, fever sometimes occurs during menstruation. In this case, it is recommended to postpone the Diaskintest until completion in order to avoid a false positive reaction.

Is it possible to do Diaskintest for allergy sufferers?

Diaskintest is carried out for chronic allergies. Bronchial asthma, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food intolerance are not an absolute contraindication.

However, the test can cause an allergic reaction, like any medication:

1. Redness at the injection site, spreading redness to the entire forearm.
2. Purulent formations.
3. Skin rash, itching.
4. Labored breathing.
5. Runny nose, cough.

If a severe allergic reaction occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. The sample results will not be evaluated. If you know you have an allergy, tell us before the test, even if the allergy test is negative.

To avoid side effects, allergy sufferers should prepare in advance for vaccination: a week before the test and for several days after it, have as little contact with pathogens as possible, and take antihistamines.

Contraindications to DST

Like any other diagnostic test, Diaskintest has a number of contraindications, namely:

• Skin diseases accompanied by widespread rashes.
• Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Severe chronic pathology in the stage of decompensation.
• Hyperthermia of unknown origin.
• Epilepsy.
• A number of mental illnesses.
• Hypersensitivity to substances included in the drug.

The list of contraindications can be increased by a specialist, based on the collected analysis and objective examination.

Is it possible to do Diaskintest with a runny nose?

A runny nose is a common disease that most often plagues people in the autumn-spring period, and some “lucky” people suffer from inflammation of the nasal mucosa in the warm season.

The main causes of a runny nose:

1. Acute respiratory viral diseases. Inflammation begins due to the activity of viruses and bacteria. It is often accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms: cough, fever, headache, weakness.
2. Allergy. Sometimes allergic rhinitis does not cause serious inconvenience, but more often it is severe, accompanied by coughing and swelling. It depends on the strength of the body's reaction.
3. Increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane. In this case, a short runny nose occurs, caused by external irritants: strong, unpleasant odors, temperature fluctuations, dust, dry air.
4. Chronic rhinitis caused by congenital or acquired diseases.

Not all of these reasons become a contraindication to diaskintest. In case of a cold caused by an infection, it is recommended to postpone this test, but increased sensitivity is not a limitation for it. A runny nose sometimes becomes a side effect of the test itself: this is how the body reacts to the drug injected into the blood.

Parents often ask whether Diaskintest can be done for a runny nose, especially for a child. However, tuberculosis not diagnosed in time will cause much more harm to health, so it is worth getting tested even with a mild form of rhinitis, unless a doctor prohibits it.

Adverse reactions

According to numerous patient reviews and scientific studies, the drug is well tolerated by the vast majority of those studied.

However, in approximately 1% of cases, undesirable reactions may develop in the form of a deterioration in general condition, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, and increased body temperature. Allergic conditions may also develop, manifested by swelling, itching, hives, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock is possible.

The most rare side effect is a transient increase in blood pressure.

All undesirable manifestations usually disappear within a few hours or, less often, days. To relieve uncomfortable allergy symptoms, it is recommended to take antihistamines, for example, Erius.

Who makes the decision to conduct the test?

The decision whether to perform a Diaskin test or not is made jointly by the doctor and the patient. When the test is given to a child, the pediatrician makes the decision about the need for vaccination, but the final word remains with the parents.

After performing Diaskintest, there is a possibility of side effects:

• loss of appetite;
• weakness;
• slight headache.

In a normal situation, these symptoms disappear after two to three days, but if this does not happen, or the child’s condition worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If you refuse Diaskintest due to temporary or absolute contraindications, you will have to be tested for tuberculosis in the form of fluorography or x-ray.

SIDE EFFECTS, COMPLICATIONS

Diaskintest is harmless for patients of any age, so there is no fear of a reaction in children and adults. Any side effects can be observed only in rare cases in the form of symptoms indicating general intoxication. These include headache and weakness, general malaise, and increased temperature. This is a normal reaction. Small bruises at the injection site are also not a cause for concern.

A hyperergic reaction of the body to the administration of the drug may also occur - the formation of a large papule with a diameter of more than 15 mm. The same reaction includes severe inflammation and irritation of the tissue around the papule.

POSITIVE RESULT

The presence of a papule of any size indicates that the patient is infected with tuberculosis bacteria. In adults, the size of the inflammatory papule is not critical. However, for ease of assessment, a general classification of swelling sizes is used:

• Less than 5 mm – weak.
• No more than 9 mm – moderate.
• Over 10 mm – strong.

The more pronounced the reaction, the more pathogen is present in the human body. The patient must go to the dispensary for treatment and registration.

In children, the presence of a papule also requires immediate consultation with a doctor. Additional studies will be needed to assess the form of the disease - active or latent. Special treatment is also used.

HOW RESULTS ARE EVALUATED

The reaction is checked 3-4 days after the test. The result can be positive, negative or false positive (doubtful). A negative result is the norm for children and adults. If there is no reaction at all, there should be no papules or redness.

The first reaction can be observed 6 hours after administration of the drug. The test result is the response of a person’s immune system. Inflammation and redness may be observed on the first day after testing. The response may increase over 72 hours, with maximum results observed on the third day in adults and children. Then the reaction fades away.

COMPOSITION OF THE PREPARATION

The drug contains:

• Proteins of tuberculosis bacteria CFP10 ESAT6, prepared in a special way.
• Phenol as a preservative.
• Polysorbate as a stabilizer.
• Phosphoric acid sodium, potassium.
• Sodium chloride.
• Water.

Diaskintest is a Russian drug. You can get tested at various institutions. Most often, the test is performed in kindergartens, schools, clinics, or in anti-tuberculosis institutes, centers, and dispensaries. For adults, examination is prescribed if there is contact with patients or in cases where a person is registered at a dispensary.

BEHAVIOR AFTER THE TEST

After placing Diaskintest, you can wet your hand, take a shower or bath. It is strictly not recommended to scratch the injection site, cover this area with a plaster, or wrap it with a bandage. Also, do not lubricate the injection site with creams, detergents and other cosmetics. There are no dietary restrictions.

Diaskintest has high sensitivity - about 80%, and accuracy reaches almost 100%. But, like any medical test method, this sample can make mistakes.

Diaskintest is many times more accurate than Mantoux, since it does not show positive reactions in people with acquired anti-tuberculosis immunity. That is why this test is considered the most reliable and safe. With its help, you can find out whether the patient is sick at the moment, and analyze whether the person will get sick in 1-2 years.