Investigation of false-positive results given by the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay.
We investigated a sudden increase in the rate of positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube results from 10% to 31% at a U.S. academic institution. Direct comparison of the TB antigen tubes with tubes from a different lot number identified that a potential problem with the TB antigen vials in a certain tube lot was the likely cause of the elevated positive rate. The underlying defect remains unknown. This finding warrants refinement of quality control programs by the manufacturer and users.
Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Madeline
M
Slater
Julie
J
Parsonnet
Niaz
N
Banaei
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States