Interferon gamma release assays for monitoring the response to treatment for tuberculosis: A systematic review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The ability to monitor the response to therapy for tuberculosis (TB) and confirm adequate treatment would be a major advance. The utility of interferon gamma assays (IGRA) for this purpose remains uncertain. METHODS: A systematic search of all studies investigating commercial IGRA to monitor anti-tuberculous treatment was done. Studies were included if they included an IGRA before the start of, and at least once during, treatment for active or latent TB. RESULTS: We identified 30 studies, of which 24 used QuantiFERON-TB (QFT), three used T-SPOT.TB and three used both QFT and T-SPOT.TB. Most studies were done in low TB incidence countries. No uniform pattern was seen in IGRA con..