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A multicentre verification study of the QuantiFERON ® -TB Gold Plus assay.

Authors :: Pieterman ED
Liqui Lung FG
Verbon A
Bax HI
Ang CW
Berkhout J
Blaauw G
Brandenburg A
van Burgel ND
Claessen A
van Dijk K
Heron M
Hooghiemstra M
Leussenkamp-Hummelink R
van Lochem E
van Loo IHM
Mulder B
Ott A
Pontesilli O
Reuwer A
Rombouts P
Saegeman V
Scholing M
Vainio S
de Steenwinkel JEM
Source :: Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland) [Tuberculosis (Edinb)] 2018 Jan; Vol. 108, pp. 136-142. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Nov 28.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this verification study was to compare the QuantiFERON <superscript>®</superscript> -TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) to the QuantiFERON <superscript>®</superscript> -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 <superscript>+</superscript> T-cell response above the CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> T-cell response. We assessed the value of this tube in detecting recent latent tuberculosis infections.<br />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 <superscript>+</superscript> T-cell response.<br />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).<br />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.<br /> (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)