title: [New tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis].
abstract: Over the last decade, molecular biology techniques for identifying mycobacteria in pulmonary secretions have become more and more sensitive and rapid, even in smear negative samples. Nuclear amplification techniques also allow the rapid detection of resistance to first or second line anti-tuberculous drugs. The sensitivity of these techniques for non respiratory samples is yet to be determined. The diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) has also increased in sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value through the use of interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), which are tending to replace the tuberculin skin test, except for children aged under five. These tests, however, do have limitations which are important for the clinician; especially their inability to distinguish active from latent tuberculosis and their inability, in most circumstances, to exclude a diagnosis of active TB.
authors: Laboratoire de bactériologie, service de médecine de laboratoire, hôpital cantonal universitaire, 1211 Genève 4, Suisse. Beatrice.Ninet@hcuge.ch
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Ninet
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Roux-Lombard
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schrenzel
authors: J-P
authors: JP
authors: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015415:Biomarkers; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C050016:lipoarabinomannan; D007371:Interferon-gamma