Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between magnitude of T-SPOT.TB and clinical characteristics in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods: In this retrospective multicenter investigation, the medical records’ archives of PTB patients were reviewed. Data including gender, age group, bacterial culture, sputum-smear microscopy, lung cavity and range of PTB were extracted from the records. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test and chi-square test for trend were used to evaluate the association between magnitude of T-SPOT.TB and clinical characteristics in active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Results: A total of 1252 PTB patients were included in this study.Chi-square trend tests revealed significant positive trends between bacterial culture and magnitude of T-SPOT.TB A (χ2 =18.978, P <0.001) or T-SPOT.TB B (χ2 =19.677, P <0.001). There were significant positive trends between AFB and magnitude of T-SPOT.TB A (TJT =345784, P <0.001) or T-SPOT.TB B (TJT =336017, P <0.001). There was a significant positive trend between range of lung cavity and magnitude of T-SPOT.TB A (TJT =326079.5, P =0.023). There were significant negative trends between age group and magnitude of T-SPOT.TB A (TJT =204306, P <0.001) or T-SPOT.TB B (TJT =206572, P <0.001).
Conclusions: The magnitude of T-SPOT.TB in PTB patients may reflect the condition of the patients and could be helpful for clinicians to assess the degree of infection and lung tissue damage.