1. A multicentre verification study of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus assay.
- Author
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Pieterman, E.D., Liqui Lung, F.G., Verbon, A., Bax, H.I., Ang, C.W., Berkhout, J., Blaauw, G., Brandenburg, A., van Burgel, N.D., Claessen, A., van Dijk, K., Heron, M., Hooghiemstra, M., Leussenkamp-Hummelink, R., van Lochem, E., van Loo, I.H.M., Mulder, B., Ott, A., Pontesilli, O., and Reuwer, A.
- Abstract
Objectives The aim of this verification study was to compare the QuantiFERON ® -TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) to the QuantiFERON ® -TB Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT). The new QFT-Plus test contains an extra antigen tube which, according to the manufacturer additionally elicits a CD8 + T-cell response above the CD4 + T-cell response. We assessed the value of this tube in detecting recent latent tuberculosis infections. Methods Between May 2015 and December 2016, 1031 subjects underwent QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT test. Overall agreement between both tests and performance for different test indications and/or immune states was assessed. A difference of >0.6 IU/mL interferon-γ release between the two antigen tubes of the QFT-Plus assay was considered a true difference and used as estimation for CD8 + T-cell response. Results Analysis of the QuantiFERON tests resulted in an overall agreement between assays of 95%. Subjects considered to be recently exposed to tuberculosis had significantly more often a true difference in interferon-γ release compared to all other subjects ( p = 0.029). Conclusion Results of QFT-Plus are highly comparable to QFT-GIT. Although there is an indication that a true difference in interferon-γ release between the antigen tubes is associated with recent latent tuberculosis infection, the QFT-Plus could not be used to exclude recent exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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