Accuracy of an Interferon-gamma Release Assay to Detect Active Tuberculosis in Children: A Pilot Study.
- Author:
Young Jin LEE
1
;
Peter CHUN
;
Ju Hee WE
;
Su Eun PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. psepse@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Active tuberculosis;
Interferon gamma;
Children
- MeSH:
Adult;
Child;
Early Diagnosis;
Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay;
Humans;
Interferon-gamma;
Interferon-gamma Release Tests;
Pilot Projects;
Prospective Studies;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Skin Tests;
Tuberculin;
Tuberculosis;
Vaccination
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
2011;18(1):48-53
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Early diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) in children is difficult. The widely used tuberculin skin test has low sensitivity and cross reactivity with non-tuberculous mycobacteria or Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination. Interferon gamma release assays have been shown good diagnostic accuracy for active in adults. But studies in children were limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the performance of enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) as an initial test in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis in children. METHODS: In a hospital-based study, we prospectively examined the performance of ELISPot in 33 children suspected of active TB. TB was confirmed bacteriologically or histologically. RESULTS: Among 33 patients, 9 had active tuberculosis. When tested, they all had a positive test result from the ELISpot. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 100% (95% CI, 66.4-100%) and 95.8% (95% CI, 78.9-99.9%) respectively. CONCLUSION: ELISpot might be an useful and improved clinical diagnostic method for the detection of active TB in children.
