Extended culture enhances sensitivity of a gamma interferon assay for latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
To test the hypothesis that prolonged culture would enhance the sensitivity of latent tuberculosis detection by a gamma interferon release assay, blood samples from 33 household contacts of Gambian tuberculosis patients were stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens. After 24 h of culture, 66% were positive, compared to 93% after 6 days of culture.
Cehovin
Ana
A
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. a.cehovin@ucl.ac.uk
Cliff
Jacqueline M
JM
Hill
Philip C
PC
Brookes
Roger H
RH
Dockrell
Hazel M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001681:Biological Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017735:Virus Latency
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007371:Interferon-gamma