Clinical Reevaluation of the QuantiFERON TB-2G Test as a Diagnostic Method for Differentiating Active Tuberculosis from Nontuberculous Mycobacteriosis

• DOI: 10.1086/509327
• Publication Date: 2006-11-17T21:51:27Z
• Authors: Y. Kobashi; Y. Obase; M. Fukuda; K. Yoshida; N. Miyashita; M. Oka
• Keywords: QuantiFERON; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Tuberculosis diagnosis

We reevaluated the usefulness of a whole-blood interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (QuantiFERON TB-2G [QFT-TB]; Cellestis) in obtaining differential diagnosis between active tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM).The subjects were 50 healthy volunteers, patients with TB, 100 NTM who satisfied diagnostic guidelines American Thoracic Society from April 2005 through June 2006. The tuberculin skin test (TST) QFT-TB performed for all subjects. was every 2 months.Of 64% had negative TST result 94% result. Of positive 4% pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease, 60% 7% mean sensitivity 86% specificity 94%. results TB transiently decreased during treatment involving antituberculous drugs. rate at initiation treatment, 48% 6 months later, 33% 12 later.We confirmed that is useful method differentiating NTM, compared TST. However, because it possible effect may be long lasting after not resolved over time, even as this study, provide any level certainty regarding cure infection.