Limitations of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in immunocompromised patients.
Four cases are presented, immunosuppressed by at least three different mechanisms: one HIV-positive patient with a CD4 count of 0.29 x 10(6)/ml, one malnourished patient, and two kidney-transplanted patients. All patients had a negative interferon (IFN)-gamma test for suspected tuberculosis (TB), but a positive culture. We conclude that a negative IFN-gamma test does not exclude TB disease in immunosuppressed patients.
Hornum
Mads
M
Department of Nephrology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mads.hornum@rh.dk
Mortensen
Klaus Leth
KL
Kamper
Anne-Lise
AL
Andersen
Ase Bengård
AB
D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology