Interferon-γ releasing assay versus tuberculin skin testing for latent tuberculosis infection in targeted screening programs for high risk immigrants

Background Recent immigrants from developing countries (20 mM (k = 0.47), in subjects aged 40-50 years (k = 0.41) and in unvaccinated persons (k = 0.40). In a multiple logistic regression model continent of origin, class of TB prevalence in the country of origin and contacts with TB patients were fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection 2010-06, Vol.38 (3), p.195-204
Main Authors: Orlando, G, Merli, S, Cordier, L, Mazza, F, Casazza, G, Villa, A. M, Codecasa, L, Negri, E, Cargnel, A, Ferrarese, M, Rizzardini, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Chi-Square Distribution
Clinical and Epidemiological Study
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emigrants and Immigrants - statistics & numerical data
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - methods
Family Medicine
Female
General Practice
Humans
immigrants
Infectious Diseases
Interferon-gamma - metabolism
Interferon-γ releasing assay
Internal Medicine
Latent TB infection
Latent Tuberculosis - diagnosis
Latent Tuberculosis - metabolism
Logistic Models
Male
Mass Screening - methods
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
TB screening
Tuberculin skin test
Tuberculin Test - methods
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background Recent immigrants from developing countries (20 mM (k = 0.47), in subjects aged 40-50 years (k = 0.41) and in unvaccinated persons (k = 0.40). In a multiple logistic regression model continent of origin, class of TB prevalence in the country of origin and contacts with TB patients were found to be significantly associated with the probability of TST and QFT-IT positive result. Low education levels were associated only to an increased risk of TST positive results. Conclusions The drawback of the TST screening strategy in recent immigrants from highly endemic countries is due to low sensitivity/specificity of the test and to high drop-out rate with an overall significant lowering in strategy efficacy/efficiency. The higher QFT-IT specificity prevents unnecessary overload of the health care system and, although more expensive, might represent a cost-effective alternative to TST in targeted screening programs directed to high risk populations.
ISSN:0300-8126
1439-0973
DOI:10.1007/s15010-010-0015-2