T-SPOT.TB Assay Screening for Latent TB Infection Among Healthcare Workers?

In an industry-sponsored study, conversion and reversion rates were lower than in earlier studies, but the reversion rate was still nearly 18%.

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is important for long-term control of TB. Diagnosis of LTBI has been augmented by the commercial availability of interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), which offer advantages in application and interpretation over the tuberculin skin test. However, several recent studies have suggested challenges in using IGRAs for HCW screening programs, including high rates of positivity, conversion, and reversion.

Now, in a manufacturer-supported study, researchers have analyzed the results of T-SPOT.TB tests performed between January 2010 and June 2014 on samples from workers at 19 hospitals across the U.S. (19,630 serial pairs from 16,067 HCWs). The results were obtained fr…

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)

T-SPOT.TB Assay Screening for Latent TB Infection Among Healthcare Workers?

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Reviewing Author