A comparison of several intradermal tuberculins in Macaca mulatta during an epizootic of tuberculosis.

During an epizootic of tuberculosis in rhesus monkeys, several intradermal test reagents were compared for accuracy in detecting tuberculosis and for strength of reaction elicited. A purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium bovis, similar to one which will probably be approved for official veterinary testing and thus eliminate tuberculin-mammalian intradermic from commercial production, was among those evaluated. None of the reagents was found to be superior to tuberculin-mammalian intradermic. Significant difference were not found in reaction strength between abdominal and palpebral test sites, but both together were about 10 per cent more sensitive than either alone. Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were both cultured and identified from this epizootic.