QuantiFERON test interpretation in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents: an alert

[摘要] ExtractLatent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) diagnosis in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is complex because of the patient characteristics and the imperfection of available tests [1]. Functional T-cell assays are exposed to bias at several levels (manufacturing; pre-analytical; analytical and immunological) [2] and; unfortunately; the lack of a gold standard precludes higher diagnostic accuracy. However; the QuantiFERON GOLD In-tube test (QFT; QIAGEN; Hilden; Germany) represents a largely used and modern alternative to the tuberculin skin test. Even if performance specifications of QFT are of great interest (specificity of 99% and sensitivity of 84%) [3]; some patients remain with an xe2x80x9cindeterminate resultxe2x80x9d because of failed positive control corresponding to the incapacity of lymphocytes to secrete interferon (IFN)-xcexb3 after 24xe2x80x85h of stimulation by phytohemagglutinin A (PHA).

[学科分类] 呼吸医学