Does the Implementation of an Interferon-γ Release Assay in Lieu of a Tuberculin Skin Test Increase Acceptance of Preventive Therapy for Latent Tuberculosis Among Healthcare Workers?

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajiv Sahni ◽  
Cyndee Miranda ◽  
Belinda Yen-Lieberman ◽  
J. Walton Tomford ◽  
Paul Terpeluk ◽  
...  
2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 280-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Goodfellow ◽  
Douglas N. Keeling ◽  
Robert C. Hayes ◽  
Duncan Webster

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.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 581-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Khanna ◽  
Vladyslav Nikolayevskyy ◽  
Fiona Warburton ◽  
Elek Dobson ◽  
Francis Drobniewski

The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of nurses new to a London hospital was 7.6% (13 of 171), using an interferon-γ(IFN-γ) release assay, and 16.2% (24 of 148), using the tuberculin skin test. On multivariate analysis, birth in a country with tuberculosis prevalence of more than 40 cases per 100,000 population was associated with positive results of both the IFN-γ release assay and the tuberculin skin test.


Infection ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Y. Kim ◽  
M. S. Park ◽  
Y. S. Kim ◽  
S. K. Kim ◽  
J. Chang ◽  
...  

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