Open AccessInterferon-gamma release assays and tuberculin skin testing for diagnosing latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in at-risk groups in Poland
Author(s) -
Katarzyna Kruczak,
Lucyna Mastalerz,
Krzysztof Sładek
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of mycobacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2212-554X
pISSN - 2212-5531
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2015.10.004
Subject(s) - tuberculin , medicine , latent tuberculosis , tuberculosis , skin test , mycobacterium tuberculosis , tuberculosis diagnosis , quantiferon , interferon gamma , immunology , dermatology , pathology , immune system
The diagnostics of latent tuberculosis infection in Poland using the tuberculin skin test is challenging due to the obligatory Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinations. Interferon-gamma release assays are still very rarely used for diagnostics. We compared the tuberculin skin test and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test to evaluate the degree of latent tuberculosis infection in at-risk groups for tuberculosis (homeless, close contacts, periodic contacts, nursing-home attendees) and in healthy individuals.