interferon-g amma-release assay Prevents unnecessary t uberculosis therapy

Background: The mass influx of immigrants from tuberculosisendemic countries into Israel was followed by a considerable increase in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB). All contacts of active TB patients are obliged to be screened by tuberculin skin tests (TST) and, if found positive, prophylactic treatment is considered. objectives: To assess the utility of interferon-gamma (IFNγ)release assay with a prolonged follow-up in preventing unnecessary anti-TB therapy in individuals with suspected false positive results. methods: Between 2008 and 2012 the QuantiFERON TB gold-intube test (QFT-G) was performed in 278 sequential individuals who were mostly TST-positive and/or were in contact with an active TB patient. In all, whole blood was examined by the IFNγrelease assay. We correlated the TST diameter with the QFT-G assay and followed those patients with a negative assay. results: The QFT-G test was positive in only 72 (42%) of all 171 TST-positive individuals. There was no correlation between the diameter of TST and QFT-G positivity. Follow-up over 5 years was available in 128 (62%) of all QFT-G-negative individuals. All remained well and none developed active TB. conclusions: A negative QFT-G test may obviate the need for anti-TB therapy in more than half of those with a positive TST. IMAJ 2015; 17: 223–226 QuantiFERON TB gold-in-tube test (QFT-G), purified protein derivative (PPD), latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), interferon-gamma (IFNγ), tuberculin skin tests (TST)