METHODS OF SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS: A MODERN VIEW ON THE PROBLEM

This review presents modern views on the problems of immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis. We have examined the advisability of the use of immunological methods for diagnosis of active tuberculosis and detection of latent tuberculous infection. It is shown that nowadays the use of serological diagnostic methods is not recommended because of contradictory information about their accuracy and limited diagnostic significance. Advantages and disadvantages of current methods of assessment of cell-mediated immune response that are used as screening tests for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis have been analyzed. We point to advisability of combination of different methods that are available nowadays with the use of skin tests as the first step of diagnosis, and improvement of techniques of antigens injections that are used for them.