Impact of a T cell-based blood test for tuberculosis infection on clinical decision-making in routine practice

Gooding, Sarah, Chowdhury, Oni, Hinks, Tim, Richeldi, Luca, Losi, Monica, Ewer, Katie, Millington, Kerry, Gunatheesan, Ruba, Cerri, Stefania, McNally, Jeremy and Lalvani, Ajit (2007) Impact of a T cell-based blood test for tuberculosis infection on clinical decision-making in routine practice. Journal of Infection, 54 (3), e169-e174. (doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2006.11.002). (PMID:17188363)

Abstract

New T cell-based blood tests for tuberculosis infection could improve diagnosis of tuberculosis but their clinical utility remains unknown. We describe the role of the ELISpot test in the diagnostic work-up of 13 patients presenting with suspected tuberculosis in routine practice. Of the seven patients with a final diagnosis of active tuberculosis, all were positive by ELISpot including three with false-negative tuberculin skin test results. Rapid determination of tuberculosis infection by ELISpot accelerated the diagnosis of tuberculosis, enabling early treatment initiation.

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