title: Diagnostic potential of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay in tuberculous pericarditis.
abstract: Tuberculous pericarditis is a rare disease in developed countries. The diagnosis is difficult to set since there are no robust rapid tests, and culture of pericardial fluid for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is often negative. T-SPOT.TB, an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) test, measures the gamma interferon response of lymphocytes against tuberculosis antigens and can be performed on blood and body fluids. We describe a patient with tuberculous pericarditis for which the diagnosis was rapidly set by positive T-SPOT.TB results, which were confirmed by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pericardial fluid culture. We performed a literature search to assess the diagnostic potential of ELISPOT testing in tuberculous pericarditis. The limited data on this subject indicate that T-SPOT.TB aids in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) infection and results in a more rapid decision to start antituberculosis treatment. Enumerating TB-specific lymphocytes and testing blood/compartmental fluid simultaneously can provide useful information on active tuberculous pericarditis.
authors: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Utrecht, The Netherlands. ebathoorn@gmail.com
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bathoorn
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Limburg
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Bouwman
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Bossink
authors: S F
authors: SF
authors: Thijsen
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D058501:Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000382:microbiology; D010495:Pericarditis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult