The significance of T-SPOT.TB test in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy

Objective To investigate the clinical application significance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis T cell enzyme-linked immunospot tuberculous test(T-SPOT.TB test) in the diagnosis and differentiated diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.Methods A total of 124 participants were enrolled in this study,including 30 healthy controls,37 patients with tuberculous pleurisy,32 patients with malignant pleural effusion and 25 patients with non-tuberculous pleurisy.The T cells to early secretary antigentic target 6(ESAT-6) and/or culture filtrate protein 10(CFP-10) sensitive in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) of participants were determined by T-SPOT.TB test.The results were compared with other related indicators [adenosine deaminase(ADA),tuberculosis antibody(TB-Ab) and smear].Results The positive rate of the tuberculous pleurisy group(91.9%) by T-SPOT.TB test was significantly higher than those of healthy control group(0.0%),malignant pleural effusion group(9.4%) and non-tuberculous pleurisy group(8.0%).The differences were statistically significant(P0.05).The sensitivity,specificity and diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy by T-SPOT.TB test were 91.9%,90.6% and 91.3%,which were superior to ADA and TB-Ab.Conclusions T-SPOT.TB test is useful for the differentiated diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.It has high sensitivity,specificity and diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.Therefore,T-SPOT.TB test is worth in the clinical extention and application,and would be a supplement for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.