Vol 76, No 6 (2008)
Review paper
Published online: 2008-10-31
Submitted: 2013-02-22
The new diagnostic methods of latent tuberculosis infection
Katarzyna Kruczak, Ewa Niżankowska-Mogilnicka
Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2008;76(6):446-450.
Vol 76, No 6 (2008)
REVIEWS
Published online: 2008-10-31
Submitted: 2013-02-22
Abstract
So far the only metod of diagnostic assessment of tubercle bacillus infection was a skin tuberculin reaction - but it has low
specificity and sensitivity. The article discusses the new tests in the diagnosis of a latent phase of tuberculosis infection and
the active form of the disease based on the measurement of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) released by lymphocyte T after the
stimulation by antigens which are specific for M. tuberculosis: ESAT-6, CFP-10. The sensitivity and specificity of
QuantiFERON-TB Gold and T-SPOT.TB tests in diagnosis of infection as well as in active form of disease, comparison
between the results of tuberculin skin test and the results obtained by the new tests, and problem of incompatibility of
results obtained thanks to those tests are discussed.
Abstract
So far the only metod of diagnostic assessment of tubercle bacillus infection was a skin tuberculin reaction - but it has low
specificity and sensitivity. The article discusses the new tests in the diagnosis of a latent phase of tuberculosis infection and
the active form of the disease based on the measurement of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) released by lymphocyte T after the
stimulation by antigens which are specific for M. tuberculosis: ESAT-6, CFP-10. The sensitivity and specificity of
QuantiFERON-TB Gold and T-SPOT.TB tests in diagnosis of infection as well as in active form of disease, comparison
between the results of tuberculin skin test and the results obtained by the new tests, and problem of incompatibility of
results obtained thanks to those tests are discussed.
Keywords
latent tuberculosis infection; tuberculin skin test; IGRA tests
Title
The new diagnostic methods of latent tuberculosis infection
Journal
Advances in Respiratory Medicine
Issue
Vol 76, No 6 (2008)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
446-450
Published online
2008-10-31
Bibliographic record
Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2008;76(6):446-450.
Keywords
latent tuberculosis infection
tuberculin skin test
IGRA tests
Authors
Katarzyna Kruczak
Ewa Niżankowska-Mogilnicka