I'm worried that I might have caught TB from a friend who's being treated for it, but I don't have any symptoms yet. I'm trying to figure out which test would be most accurate to detect latent TB. Can the Mantoux test and sputum AFB both find it, or is one better than the other?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Shubham Chauhan

General Practitioner

MBBS
4+ Yrs

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The most accurate test for detecting latent TB is the Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), such as QuantiFERON or T-SPOT.TB, which measures the immune response to TB proteins; the Mantoux test (Tuberculin Skin Test) is also used, but it has some limitations, such as cross-reactivity with BCG vaccine and false negatives in immunocompromised individuals; sputum AFB (Acid-Fast Bacillus) smear is used to diagnose active TB, not latent TB, so it's not relevant in your case;

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Answered 04/07/2025

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I recently had a TB test and the results mentioned something called "tenting of the left hemidiaphragm." I'm curious and a bit worried about what might have caused this. Is it something serious, and could it be a sign of TB?

Tenting of the left hemidiaphragm can be caused by various factors such as inflammation, injury, or infection. While it may not directly indicate tuberculosis (TB), it could suggest other conditions affecting the diaphragm. It's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation to determine the cause.

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