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Latent tuberculosis infection in a military setting diagnosed by whole‐blood interferon‐γ assay
Author(s) -
CHOI ChangMin,
HWANG Seung Sik,
LEE ChangHoon,
LEE Hye Won,
KANG CheolIn,
KIM ChangHoon,
HAN Sung Koo,
SHIM YoungSoo,
YIM JaeJoon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2007.01198.x
Subject(s) - medicine , latent tuberculosis , tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , whole blood , interferon γ , interferon gamma release assay , immunology , active tuberculosis , prospective cohort study , interferon gamma , pathology , immune system
Background and objectives: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is crucial in military settings. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of LTBI using a whole‐blood interferon‐γ assay based on Mycobacterium tuberculosis ‐specific antigens, and to identify risk factors for LTBI among military personnel in contact with patients with active pulmonary TB. Methods: This prospective study investigated contacts in military camps in South Korea of soldiers with active pulmonary TB. The whole‐blood interferon‐γ assay was performed using QuantiFERON TB‐Gold. Results: Among the 175 contacts, 25 (14.3%) showed positive results to the assay. Long duration of exposure (OR 2.83; 95% CI: 1.63–4.91), laryngeal TB (OR 6.04; 95% CI: 1.54–23.67) and intensive exposure (OR 5.13; 95% CI: 1.63–16.12) were associated with a positive result. Conclusions: A relatively small number of TB contacts in a military setting had LTBI.