Microbiologia Medica (Mar 2010)
Clinical utility of QuantiFERON TB Gold Test in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infections
Abstract
Introduction: Early diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection can avoid a progression to active tuberculosis.The interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production measured by the new interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) can be used to identify subjects with, because the tuberculin skin test, is unreliable to discriminative between subjects with and others. Methods: 186 patients tested positive with the tuberculin skin test were evaluated with QuantiFERON- TB Gold [QFT-G (Cellestis Ltd, Carnegie, Australia)]. Results: 61 (32.8%) samples showed a positive response with QFT-G test and only 1 (0.54%) patient tested indeterminate. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that QFT-G-positivity showed a strong correlation with clinical suspect of latent tuberculosis infection.
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