title: Screening for latent TB in patients with rheumatic disorders prior to biologic agents in a 'high-risk' TB population: comparison of two interferon gamma release assays.
abstract: Patients with rheumatic disorders treated with TNF inhibitors are at increased risk of developing TB. There is no 'gold-standard' for the diagnosis of latent TB prior to initiation of biologic agents. We report our own experience of comparing two interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) in screening for latent TB in a 'high-risk' TB area in patients with rheumatic disorders. The study demonstrated good concordance between the two tests. We believe the additional cost of these assays is justified in high-risk populations prior to biologic agents, with 16% of the current study population with at least one positive IGRA assay.
authors.affiliation: , Slough, UK.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melath
authors.forename: Mediola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismajli
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ishita
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steuer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests / Q000379:methods*; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha