<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I asked if anyone knew of anything used in the tuberculosis skin test that
would cause a gluten reaction?  I had to have a TB test as part of Hospice
volunteer training.  I got a reaction which the nurses said did not look like
a positive skin test for TB to them.  It looked like some sort of allergic
reaction.  They did the test a second time and I had another reaction (worse
than the first time).  They still said it was an allergic reaction.  I will
talk to my doctor about it on my next visit.
Several people responded.  Some also had an allergic reaction.  Some had no
reaction to the test (negative reading).  Here are some of the answers I
received.

-please have your test redone by your regional TB center.  I
listened to an infection control nurse for 5 years that I had an allergic RX
to find out I am actually converted to positive, but found out to late to go
on the prophylactic meds (it is best to go on within 2 years of exposure and
usually before 35 you).  A positive Mantoux shows that there was a
significant exposure, even if there is not an active infection-

-I have the same problem. Then I went to my allergist to get tested for
allergies to
the TB vaccine- my work required that I do so. I am allergic to it. The
allergist
did not know of any relationship between that and CD. - but I am allergic to
so
many things, I think it may be that we celiacs have more allergies in general

-Aventis is probably the company that was the PPD medicine put intraderamlly.
in your arm.  You can call them.  I have had the test yearly with no
reaction.  Are you sure it was not a reaction.  If you had  been exposed as a
kid and have a calcification you can always have a positive TB but not have
TB.

-You might be allergic to something like alcohol or eggs.  Alcohol is used to
swab the injection site and eggs are used to incubate the TB virus.

-In response to your question about the allergic reaction you had to the TB
test, one should consider a reaction to the preservative in the solution and
not a gluten reaction. What we're finding in our patients is that the
antibodies produced to wheat, casein and milk are likely the triggers for
numerous other antibodies which begin being produced. With the numerous and
varied types of antibodies that can be produced the immune system becomes so
assaulted that it becomes hypersensitive to what may normally be 'minor'
irritants.
You may want to ask your physician to run an antibody panel for more than
just wheat.

-Possibly iodine or a bromide was used as a preservative in the serum. That
could cause an inflammation of the IgA deposits.  IV meds do not contain
gluten.

Barb in Springfield, OH

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