Cy-TB Test

Cy-TB Test Latest News

Recently, the Kerala health authorities have introduced a test called Cy-TB for detecting and treating tuberculosis (TB) infection following the prioritisation of latent TB infection treatment under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). 

About Cy-TB Test

• It is a new intradermal test for detecting and treating tuberculosis (TB) infection.
• It is a third-generation test approved by the Central TB Division, Government of India.
• It is the current recommendation for use of the Cy-tb skin test under the NTEP program for age 18 years and above.

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How does the Cy-TB Test Work?

• Cy-TB is a highly specific, accurate and user-friendly skin test, wherein 0.1 ml doses of M. tuberculosis-specific antigens (ESAT-6 and CFP-10) are injected into the skin in the inner forearm.
• An induration (a raised area) of 5 mm or more which develops on the skin within 48-72 hours indicates TB infection.

What is TB?

• TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
• According to the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, India continues to lead in the global TB burden (26% of cases) and is also the hub for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) and TB deaths.
• TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance.

Source: TH