Immunological characterization of latent tuberculosis infection in a low endemic country

The diagnosis of a latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is based on detection of immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The tuberculin skin test (TST), the Quantiferon (QFT) and a prolonged lymphocyte stimulation test using either ESAT-6/CFP-10 (LST-EC) or PPD (LST-PPD) were evaluated in a cohort of 495 individuals, suspected to have LTBI, in a low endemic country. While the TST and LST-PPD were both positive in the majority (75%) of individuals, only one third responded in the LST-EC and in the QFT.

Source: Tuberculosis - July 4, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Roelof A. de Paus, Krista E. van Meijgaarden, Corine Prins, Margreet H. Kamphorst, Sandra M. Arend, Tom H.M. Ottenhoff, Simone A. Joosten Tags: Immunological Aspects Source Type: research