Screening for latent tuberculosis infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Can interferon-gamma release assays replace the tuberculin skin test?

The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology : the Official Journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology
José Luis CabriadaCésar Herrero

Abstract

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection is mandatory before starting anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. New assays based on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release have recently become available and may be more accurate. The aim of this study was to compare QuantiFERON-TB and tuberculin skin test in screening for latent infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We prospectively screened 138 patients with inflammatory bowel disease for latent tuberculosis infection with chest X-ray, tuberculin skin test, and a third-generation QuantiFERON-TB test. The association of the results in both tests with immunosuppression or inflammatory activity was determined by logistic regression. The tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB were positive in 21.7% and 24.6% of the patients, respectively. Overall, 71% patients were receiving immunosuppressants. Concordance between the two tests was moderate (κ=0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-0.75) and was higher in immunosuppressant-naïve patients (κ=0.75; 95% CI, 0.52-0.97) than in immunosuppressed patients (κ=0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.72). In both the tests, disease activity and receiving immunosuppression were not associated with the test results. Nevertheless, QuantiFERON-TB was negativ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 2, 2019·Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·James P StevensCary G Sauer
Dec 15, 2020·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Flora Maria Lorenzo FortesGenoile Oliveira Santana

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