title: Executive summary of the guidelines for the use of interferon-γ release assays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection.
abstract: Interferon-gamma release assays are widely used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in Spain. However, there is no consensus on their application in specific clinical scenarios. To develop a guideline for their use, a panel of experts comprising specialists in infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, microbiology, pediatrics and preventive medicine, together with a methodologist, conducted a systematic literature search, summarized the findings, rated the quality of the evidence, and formulated recommendations following the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations of Assessment Development and Evaluations) methodology. This document provides evidence-based guidance on the use of interferon-gamma release assays for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in patients at the risk of tuberculosis or suspected of having active disease. The guidelines will be applicable to specialist and primary care, and public health.
authors.affiliation: Service of Infectious Diseases, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, C/ Feixa Llarga, s/n, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santin
authors.affiliation: Clinical Unit of Pneumology, Hospital San Agustín, C/ Camino de Heros, 4, 33400 Avilés, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: José-María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-García
authors.affiliation: Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rigau
authors.affiliation: Unit of Tuberculosis Valle de Hebron, Institute of Research in Primary Assistance Jordi Gol, Unidad Clínica de Tratamiento Directamente Observado "Servicios Clínicos", C/ Garcia Mariño, 4, 08022 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Neus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Altet
authors.affiliation: Unit of Tuberculosis, Infectious Diseases, Service of Internal Medicine, Complexo Hospitalario de Pontevedra, 36001 Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anibarro
authors.affiliation: Service of Preventive Medicine, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Carretera del Canyet, s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Preventive Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.affiliation: Service of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, Calle Dulzaina, 2, 47012 Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Díez
authors.affiliation: Service of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Carretera de Manacor, 4, 07198 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Gasalla
authors.affiliation: Unit of Tuberculosis Control, Hospital Universitario Mutua de Terrassa, Pza. Dr Robert, 5, 08224, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Martínez-Lacasa
authors.affiliation: Unit of Tuberculosis, Service of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, C/ San Cibrao, 27003 Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Antón
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Penas
authors.affiliation: Service of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Hospital de Jerez, Ctra. Circunvalación, s/n, 11407, Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Escolano
authors.affiliation: Service of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Mar de Investigaciones Médicas (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Service of Microbiology, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol; Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol; Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Carretera del Canyet s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jadomb@gmail.com.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domínguez
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013030:Spain; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Guideline; Guía de práctica clínica; Infección tuberculosa latente; Interferon-gamma release assays; Latent tuberculosis infection; Prevención; Prevention; Tuberculosis