Prospective studies are needed in order to determine the usefulness of IGRA tests during therapy. Since most patients remained QFT-TB positive after therapy, the test should not be used to monitor the effect of preventive therapy. Recent immigration from TB endemic countries and long duration of exposure are risk factors for a positive QFT-TB test and these groups should be targeted through screening. Only one third of those with suspected TB infection had a positive QFT-TB test. The QFT-TB test was more frequently positive in those with TST ≥ 15 mm (47.5%) compared to TST 11-14 mm (21.3%) and TST 6-10 mm (10.5%), (p 0.05). The QFT-TB test was positive in 30.8% (148/481) of the total, in 66.9% (111/166) of persons with origin from a TB endemic country, in 71.4% (20/28) previously treated for TB and in 100% (15/15) of those diagnosed with active TB with no inconclusive results. Three months of isoniazid and rifampicin were given to patients with LTBI and QFT-TB tests were performed after three and 15 months. Thoracic X-ray and sputum samples were performed and a questionnaire concerning risk factors for TB was filled. MethodsĤ81 persons with suspected TB infection were tested with QFT-TB. We present the performance of the QuantiFERON ®-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-TB) assay as diagnostic test and during follow-up of preventive TB therapy in outpatients from a TB low-endemic country. Contact us or your health care provider if you have any questions.Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) Release Assays (IGRA) are more specific than the tuberculosis skin test (TST) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI). On a rare occasion, some people are very sensitive to the solution and develop a severe skin reaction.DO not WORRY! These reactions are common and do not necessarily mean you have a positive test. Some people experience some redness, rash, slight bruising or a small bump at the site.You CAN bathe and swim but AVOID applying sun lotion to the site of your test.You CAN apply a cold compress to the area to alleviate the itching.Occasionally, there can be some itching at the site, but try to avoid scratching! DO not use any creams on the site (including Benadryl or Cortisone) since they will interfere with the results of your test. (Some people develop rashes from the bandaid tape which can then interfere with the test.) Apply pressure with a dry piece of gauze instead.
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