Immune Response from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Mononuclear Cells Diagnoses Active TB

ELISpot performed on bronchoalveolar mononuclear cells had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 79% in diagnosing active disease.

Rapid diagnosis of active pulmonary TB is difficult. Microscopy for identifying acid-fast bacilli is quick, but it is negative in 50% of those with active disease; nucleic acid amplification tests also have low sensitivity. In active TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific lymphocytes are activated at the site of infection. Results of a pilot study (JW Infect Dis Nov 15 2006) have suggested that response by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid mononuclear cells (BALMCs) to two M. tuberculosis antigens, ESAT-6 and CFP-10, is significantly increased in patients with active pulmonary TB but not in those with latent disease.

As a follow-up to this work, investigators (some with support from the assay manufacturer) performed an enzyme-linked immunospot (…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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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)

Immune Response from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Mononuclear Cells Diagnoses Active TB

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Reviewing Author