QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test in the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Arthritis Patients Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists.

QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test in the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Arthritis Patients Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists. Acta Clin Croat. 2017 Jun;56(2):203-209 Authors: Baričević D, Popović Grle S, Morović Vergles J, Čuković Čavka S, Jakopović M, Redžepi G, Boras Z, Baričević M, Samaržija M Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) in detecting latent tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients before introducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) antagonists. The study included 300 subjects of similar age. The study group comprised of 150 QuantiFERON (QFT) positive subjects with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, while control group comprised of 150 QFT negative respondents with the same diseases. Exhaustive medical history was documented for all patients. Screening tests were performed including QFT-GIT, tuberculin skin test (TST), chest radiography and detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosisin sputum culture 2 times. A positive QFT-GIT test result, regardless of TST result, was considered as an indication for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment. Results of this study showed good correlation between the conclusive results of QFT-GIT and TST. All study group patients had normal clinical findings, normal radiologic findings and negative results of...
Source: Acta Clinica Croatica - Category: General Medicine Tags: Acta Clin Croat Source Type: research