Answers linked to Swindells JE, Aliyu SH, Enoch DA, Abubakar I. The role of interferon gamma-release assays in healthcare workers. J Hosp Infect 2009; 73: 101–108

Tuberculosis (TB)-associated uveitis is a common cause of infectious uveitis in the developing world. Diagnosis of TB uveitis remains a challenge. The role of interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) is uncertain. Herein we summarise the available literature on the utility of IGRAs in the diagnosis and management of TB uveitis. We searched PubMed database from 1 August 2010 to 31 July 2020 using the following keywords alone and in combination: ‘interferon-gamma release assay’, ‘QuantiFERON’, ‘T-SPOT.TB’, ‘TB uveitis’, ‘serpiginous like choroiditis’, ‘tuberculoma’, ‘TB vasculitis’, ‘TB panuveitis’ and ‘ocular tuberculosis’. Data from 58 relevant studies were collated. The review is focused on currently marketed versions of IGRA tests: QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay, QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay (QFT-Plus) and T-SPOT.TB. We found limited evidence regarding the diagnostic utility of IGRA in patients with uveitis. No study was identified evaluating the newer QFT test—the QFT-Plus—in patients with uveitis. Similarly, there is lack of data directly comparing QFT-Plus with T-SPOT.TB specifically for the diagnosis of TB uveitis.

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Role of Interferon Gamma Release Assays in Childhood Tuberculosis

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s12098-011-0681-9 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 250-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Soumya Swaminathan

Keyword(s):

Interferon Gamma ◽

Childhood Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assays

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Evaluation of role of interferon gamma release assays in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS ◽

10.4103/ijstd.ijstd_16_20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 0

Author(s):

Rajender Singh ◽

Nazish Fatima ◽

Indu Shukla ◽

Mohammed Shameem

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assays ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus

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Influence of Seasonality and Circulating Cytokines on Serial QuantiFERON Discordances

Tuberculosis Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2018/6731207 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Marsha L. Griffin ◽

Saroochi Agarwal ◽

Melissa Zhu Murphy ◽

Larry D. Teeter ◽

Edward A. Graviss

Keyword(s):

Prospective Study ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Spring Season ◽

Time Points ◽

Task Order ◽

Serial Testing ◽

Interferon Gamma Release Assays ◽

Circulating Cytokines

Objectives. An 18-month prospective study serially tested healthcare workers (HCWs) for tuberculosis infection (TBI) and reported discordant QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube® (QFT) results in some participants. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) measured by QFT in discordant individuals could be influenced by other circulating cytokines that vary seasonally at the time of phlebotomy. Methods. The CDC funded TBESC Task Order 18 (TO18) project to assess the use of Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs), T-SPOT.TB® and QFT, compared to the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the serial testing of TBI in HCW at 4 US sites. Unstimulated plasma from 9 discordant TO18 participants at 4 different time points from the Houston site was multiplexed to determine the association between circulating cytokines and antigen stimulated IFN-γ levels. Results. IL-12, IL-1β, IL-3, GCSF, and IL-7 were associated with the amount of IFN-γ measured in response to antigen stimulation. In addition to these cytokines, a significant relationship was found between a positive QFT result and the spring season. Conclusions. Allergens during the spring season can result in the upregulation of IL-1β and IL-3, and this upregulation was observed with the amount of IFN-γ measured in discordant results.

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