Antigen injection

Leprosy is caused by the organism Mycobacterium leprae. The leprosy test involves injection of an antigen just under the skin to determine if your body has a current or recent leprosy infection. The injection site is labeled and examined 3 days and 28 days later to see if there is a reaction.

Review Date: 08/28/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.