Journal article

A three-way comparison of tuberculin skin testing, QuantiFERON-TB gold and T-SPOT.TB in children

TG Connell, N Ritz, GA Paxton, JP Buttery, N Curtis, SC Ranganathan

Plos One | Published : 2008

Abstract

Background: There are limited data comparing the performance of the two commercially available interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children. We compared QuantiFERON-TB gold In Tube (QFT-IT), T-SPOT.TB and the tuberculin skin test (TST) in children at risk for latent TB infection or TB disease. Methods and Findings: The results of both IGRAs were compared with diagnosis assigned by TST-based criteria and assessed in relation to TB contact history. Results from the TST and at least one assay were available for 96 of 100 children. Agreement between QFT-IT and T-SPOT.TB was high (93% agreement, κ = 0.83). QFT-IT and T-SPOT.TB tests were posit..

View full abstract

Grants

Awarded by European Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases


Awarded by Nossal


Funding Acknowledgements

This project was supported by a grant from the John Burge Trust Victoria. Tom G Connell is supported by fellowship awards from the European Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and the Nossal. Institute of Global Health. Nicole Ritz is supported by fellowship awards from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the European Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases. Funding bodies had no role in data analysis or in the preparation of the manuscript.