Tuberculin Skin Testing vs. the Interferon-γ Release Assay

In a retrospective study on a college campus, tuberculin skin testing was significantly more specific than the QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube assay among students at low risk for tuberculosis.

Two testing methods are commercially available for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection: the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the interferon-γ release assay (IGRA). These tests differ in ease of administration and interpretation, cost, sensitivity, and specificity. However, they have not been widely evaluated or compared in a college-aged population.

Toward this end, researchers reviewed the records of students who underwent TB testing at the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service between 2009 and 2011 because they were determined to be at high risk for TB (based on screening) or were enrolled in healthcare training. Among these 9483 students, 8620 chose to have the TST performed and 1223 opted for the QuantiFERON-TB …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Tuberculin Skin Testing vs. the Interferon-γ Release Assay

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Reviewing Author