Abstract The tuberculin test is a time tested immunological tool used for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Only very few studies are available reporting the prevalence of tuberculin positivity in adolescents, a high risk population for tuberculosis. Tuberculin reaction is read after 48 to 72 hours, which results in delay in the diagnosis of infection. Recent studies in healthy younger children have shown that 24 - hour tuberculin skin test evaluation is possible.