Kerala Government Introduces New TB Skin Test

• Kerala government introduces Cy-TB, a new intradermal test for detecting and treating tuberculosis (TB) infection.

• The test is a third-generation method approved by the Central TB Division.

• TB infection is different from active TB disease, where the organism remains dormant or inactive.

• Cy-TB is a highly specific, accurate, and user-friendly skin test.

• The test injects 0.1 ml dose of M. tuberculosis-specific antigens into the skin in the inner forearm.

• An induration of 5 mm or more on the skin within 48-72 hours indicates TB infection.

• The test will be offered in district TB centres, taluk hospitals, block level in some districts, and all dialysis centres.