QuantiFERON-TB GOLD ELISA assay for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens in blood specimens of HIV-positive patients in a high-burden country.
Tuberculosis is a life-threatening infection worldwide. Despite improvements in therapy, it results in 2 million deaths and 9 million new cases annually. This study evaluated the use of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a high HIV/TB burden setting in an ARV clinic at the Tshwane District Hospital, South Africa. The sensitivity and specificity of the QF assay in the clinic were 30% (9/30) and 63% (19/30), respectively, when compared with the gold standard culture results. Analysis also suggested that the sensitivity of the QuantiFERON assay is determined by a limiting patient CD4 value between 150 and 200.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria/NHLS, Pretoria, South Africa. s22089765@tuks.co.za
Chrisna
C
Veldsman
Marleen M
MM
Kock
Theresa
T
Rossouw
Martin
M
Nieuwoudt
Mark
M
Maeurer
Anwar A
AA
Hoosen
Marthie M
MM
Ehlers
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic