title: Comparison of sensitivity of QuantiFERON-TB gold test and tuberculin skin test in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the sensitivity of tuberculin skin test (TST) and quantiFERON-TB gold test (QFT-G) in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Pulmonology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, from July 2011 to January 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  QuantiFERON-TB gold test (QFT-G) was evaluated and compared it with tuberculin skin test (TST) in 50 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, in whom tuberculous infection was suspected on clinical, radiological and microbiological grounds. Sensitivity was determined against postive growth for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 50 cases, 43 were females and 7 were males. The mean age was 41.84 ± 19.03 years. Sensitivity of QFT-G was 80% while that of TST was 28%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QFT-G has much higher sensitivity than TST for active pulmonary tuberculosis. It is unaffected by prior BCG administration and prior exposure to atypical mycobacteria. A positive QFT-G result can be an adjunct to diagnosis in patients having clinical and radiological data compatible with pulmonary tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Kanwal Fatima
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambreen
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Butt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000379:methods*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D007371:Interferon-gamma