Whole blood interferon-γ release assay is a useful tool for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection particularly among Bacille Calmette Guèrin-vaccinated children.
The performance of QuantiFERON-tuberculosis (TB) Gold-In-Tube assay was compared with the tuberculin skin test for the diagnosis of TB among children. It was shown that among non-Bacille Calmette Guèrin immunized children, agreement between tests was excellent both in those with TB disease and in TB contacts. Among Bacille Calmette Guèrin-immunized children, agreement was fair in those with active disease and poor among TB contacts. It is concluded that QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube compares with the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of TB disease and latent tuberculosis infection in TB contacts among children and has enhanced specificity.
Tsolia
Maria N
MN
Second Department of Pediatrics, P and A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. matsolia@ath.forthnet.gr
Mavrikou
Mersini
M
Critselis
Elena
E
Papadopoulos
Nikolaos G
NG
Makrinioti
Haidoniki
H
Spyridis
Nikolaos P
NP
Metsou
Flora
F
Tsagaraki
Maria
M
Koulouri
Maria
M
Kafetzis
Dimitrios A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D001769:Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007371:Interferon-gamma