The diagnostic value of the cutaneous allergic response to tuberculin and Indirect ELISA test was investigated using MPB 70 recombinant antigen, in piglets experimentally sensitized intramuscularly with the oily suspensions of inactivated M. bovis or M. avium. The ninety-one animals used were divided into four groups. The groups A and B were formed each with 25 individuals, and groups C and D, with 21 and 20 individuals, respectively, balancing the characteristics of race, ancestry, age and sex. At the age of 21 days, all the animals were submitted to the screening test with the use of M. bovis PPD, by the intradermal route at the base of the ear and no reaction was detected. Sixty days after the screening tuberculin test, animals of the group A were injected intramuscularly with 0.5 mL of oily suspension of M. avium D4 strain; animals of group B received 0.5 mL of an oily suspension of M. bovis, AN5 strain; and the members of group C (control I) received 0.5 mL of an oily adjuvant and the individuals of group D (control II) received 0.5 mL of saline solution. Histological examinations of biopsies of skin reactions were carried out and blood collections made for capture ELISA. Following 30 days of sensitization, comparative skin reactions were measured by the variation in skin thickness with a caliper at 0h, 24h, 48h an 72h after applications of tuberculins. In the comparative test measured at 72h, the reaction was considered negative when the difference of the reactions between bovine PPD and avian PPD was less than 6.7 mm; suspected or inconclusive, when the difference stood in the range of 6.7 to 7.5 mm; and positive according to the type of PPD, considering tuberculosis the M. bovis PPD and mycobacteriosis the M. avium PPD, when the difference of the reaction was greater than 7.5 mm. In histopathological examinations, intense lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate were observed at the site of intradermal reactions of the animals tested with PPD homologous to the type of mycobacteria used in sensitizing oil suspension. The ELISA assay with MPB 70 recombinant antigen was able to reveal the presence of antibodies against M. bovis, but did not reveal antibodies to M. avium.