Kveim test
Last reviewed 11/2023
This is a test for sarcoidosis. An extract of sarcoid involved spleen is injected intradermally and 4-6 weeks later a skin nodule appears which is biopsied and examined for evidence of granuloma formation (1).
- this is a highly specific test and is positive in 80% of patients with the disease.
A positive result is less likely if there is no lymph node involvement, the disease is of long standing, or the patient is receiving steroid therapy.
A positive result may also occur in other diseases with enlarged lymph nodes, for example, tuberculosis and leukaemia.
Test not now used because of risk of infection.
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