Seasonal variation in the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assays used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection

This study aimed to determine whether there are seasonal changes in the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assays, an interferon-gamma release assay widely used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection. Results of 31,932 QFT-GIT assays performed at a large independent, accredited diagnostic service provider in London, UK over a 4.5-year-period were analysed. The proportion of positive results was significantly lower in autumn (14.8%) than in spring (16.0%; p  = 0.0366) and summer (17.5%; p 

Source: Tuberculosis - March 8, 2018 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Marc Tebruegge, Nigel Curtis, Vanessa Clifford, Cristina Fernandez-Turienzo, Nigel Klein, Katy Fidler, Salah Mansour, Paul Elkington, Stephen Morris-Jones Source Type: research