Publication
Assessment of an Interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in haemodialysis patient
Journal Paper/Review - May 24, 2010
Hoffmann Matthias, Tsinalis Dimitrios, Vernazza Pietro, Fierz W, Binet Françoise-Isabelle
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Journal
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Issn Electronic
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Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
The accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in haemodialysis patients remains elusive. Impaired immune function associated with chronic kidney failure causes a high number of anergic tuberculin skin tests (TST). Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release assays (IGRAs) measuring the INF-gamma secretion of tuberculosis specific T-cells have several advantages over the TST but their significance in dialysis patients is currently uncertain.
METHODS
This study examines the test-performances of the QuantiFERON Gold InTube (QFT-GIT) in a cohort of 39 haemodialysis (HD) patients and 52 healthy individuals.
RESULTS
INF-gamma secretion in HD patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls, however, mitogen-anergic QFT-GIT results were only found in 2.5% of HD-patients. INF-gamma secretion was independent of duration of HD treatment, dialysis quality and nutritional status. The QFT-GIT showed a closer association with TB risk factors as a proxy for past exposure to TB than the TST.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the QFT-GIT is a valid alternative to the TST. Together with the survey of TB risk factors, it may help to diagnose LTBI more accurately in HD-patients.