Positivity rate of interferon-γ release assays for estimating the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in renal transplant recipients in Japan

Interferon-gamma release assays are used to screen various patient populations for latent tuberculosis infection. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Ward et al. (J Clin Microbiol 59:e00811-21, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.00811-21 ) investigated an increased indeterminate rate in the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay among COVID-19 patients that was independent of immunosuppressive agents and lymphopenia. In their study, COVID-19 patients with indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus results trended toward decreased survival as well as increased serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels, though the differences were not statistically significant. They suggest that this pattern of cytokine expression supports an impairment of Th1, and specifically interferon-γ production, in critically ill COVID-19 patients, as indicated by indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus results. Clinicians should be aware of the increased rate of indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus results in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Download Full-text

The Effect of Previous Tuberculin Skin Test on the Follow-up Examination of Whole-Blood Interferon-γ Assay in the Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection

CHEST Journal ◽

10.1378/chest.07-2193 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 133 (6) ◽

pp. 1415-1420 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Jae Chol Choi ◽

Jong Wook Shin ◽

Jae Yeol Kim ◽

In Won Park ◽

Byoung Whui Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

Skin Test ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Γ ◽

Tuberculosis Infection

Download Full-text

Accuracy of interferon-γ-induced protein 10 for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Microbiology and Infection ◽

10.1016/j.cmi.2018.12.006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 667-672 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

X. Qiu ◽

Y. Tang ◽

Y. Yue ◽

Y. Zeng ◽

W. Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Γ ◽

Tuberculosis Infection

Download Full-text

Outcome of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Over a 10-Year Period

Transplantation Journal ◽

10.1097/tp.0000000000000133 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 671-675 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Aman Sidhu ◽

Geetika Verma ◽

Atul Humar ◽

Deepali Kumar

Keyword(s):

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Organ Transplant ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Solid Organ Transplant ◽

Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Organ Transplant Recipients ◽

Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Download Full-text

Utility of an Interferon-γ Release Assay for Latent Tuberculosis Diagnosis in a Case of Bullous Pemphigoid

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.2310/7750.2009.08062 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 280-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alfred Goodfellow ◽

Douglas N. Keeling ◽

Robert C. Hayes ◽

Duncan Webster

Keyword(s):

Tuberculin Skin Test ◽

Bullous Pemphigoid ◽

Skin Test ◽

Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Interferon Γ ◽

Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection ◽

Cutaneous Disease ◽

Release Assay

Background: With increasing use of immunosuppressive therapy, including tumor necrosis factor a inhibitors, there is concern about infectious complications, including reactivation of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Routine testing prior to administration of systemic immunosuppression includes the tuberculin skin test, which lacks sensitivity and specificity and may be difficult to interpret in the presence of extensive cutaneous disease. Treatment of individuals with latent tuberculosis infection is recommended when immunosuppressive medications are to be employed. Observations: We report a case in which a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in a patient with extensive bullous pemphigoid was clarified by the use of an interferon-γ release assay after equivocal tuberculin skin test results. Conclusion: Interferon-γ release assays are useful adjuncts to the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in the setting of extensive cutaneous disease.

Download Full-text