title: Exclusion of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infection with the T-SPOT.TB assay.
abstract: The present brief report describes four cases with mycobacterial infection and negative T-SPOT.TB tests. This test proved to be a useful tool to help rule out the diagnosis of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and could therefore prevent unnecessary or inappropriate therapy.
authors.affiliation: Depts of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R M L
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: A W J
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Bossink
authors.forename: S F T
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Thijsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C505464:ESAT-6-CFP10 fusion protein; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma