tuberculin
/tjʊˈbəːkjʊlɪn
/noun [mass noun]
A sterile protein extract from cultures of tubercle bacillus, used in a test by hypodermic injection for infection with or immunity to tuberculosis, and also formerly in the treatment of the disease.Tuberculin skin testing with tuberculin purified protein derivative is used to screen persons for latent tuberculosis infection....
- Sputum culture and smears, tuberculin testing, and radiography are all essentially 19th century inventions.
- All pregnant patients with HIV infection should also undergo tuberculin skin testing as part of their routine prenatal care.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Latin tuberculum (see tubercle) + -in1.