The new diagnostic methods of latent tuberculosis infection

Katarzyna Kruczak; Ewa Niżankowska-Mogilnicka

Vol 76, No 6 (2008)

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Published online: 2008-10-31

Submitted: 2013-02-22

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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.