Prevalence of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation comparing tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of latentMycobacterium tuberculosis infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation candidates, using tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus, in a high-burden tuberculosis country. Adult candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation performed both tests before and those submitted to transplantation were followed up for 12 months. The prevalence of latentMycobacterium tuberculosis infection was 17.1% and a moderate agreement between QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus and tuberculin skin test was observed in this population. Previous tuberculosis exposure was a risk factor for latentMycobacterium tuberculosis infection. No cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed during follow-up period.
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research