Utility of the antigen-specific interferon-gamma assay for the management of tuberculosis.
OBJECTIVE
The tuberculin skin test, now over a century old, is prone to reader variability, and outcomes are influenced by cross-reactivity with environmental mycobacteria, previous bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, and anergy in immunosuppressed individuals. More recently, T-cell-based interferon-gamma responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis - specific antigens have been investigated for their role in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection.


RESULTS
We review the evidence supporting the utility of the interferon-gamma assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in low-prevalence countries. We discuss the principle of the test, technical factors related to performance, and its utility in active tuberculosis, in specialised subgroups such as immunocompromised patients, and its applicability in developing countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the tuberculin skin test, the antigen-specific interferon-gamma assay, when used in a standardised protocol (overnight incubation assay using a combination of two antigens) for the diagnosis of LTBI, has greater specificity in BCG-vaccinated individuals, displays a stronger association with exposure, and is less biased by environmental mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium. Prospective studies are required, however, to confirm that treating LTBI, as defined by the interferon-gamma assay, will reduce the tuberculosis burden in low-prevalence countries and whether interferon-gamma responses are predictive of those who have a high risk of progression to active tuberculosis. Further studies are required to address the utility of the interferon-gamma assay in specialised subgroups of patients, in developing countries, and as a marker of disease activity.
Dheda
Keertan
K
Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health, Royal Free & UCL Medical School, London, UK. k.dheda@ucl.ac.uk
Udwadia
Zarir F
ZF
Huggett
Jim F
JF
Johnson
Margaret A
MA
Rook
Graham A W
GA
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; C072681:Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma