ELISpot vs. TST in Children Exposed to TB

Compared with TST, ELISpot was equally sensitive but more specific in predicting development of active disease among TB-exposed children, 80% of whom were BCG-vaccinated.

Although the tuberculin skin test (TST) has been validated for the identification of people at increased risk for developing active TB, its specificity is confounded by BCG vaccination. Whole-blood assays that measure release of interferon-γ (IGRAs) appear to be more specific, but data are limited.

To investigate this issue, researchers (1 with pertinent industry connections and several with current or pending patents on T-cell–based diagnosis of TB infection) conducted a longitudinal study among children in Turkey with recent household TB exposure. The children were followed every 6 months for 2 years. At baseline, each had a TST and an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) test using two Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific peptide antigens, E…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

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)

ELISpot vs. TST in Children Exposed to TB

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Reviewing Author