International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume 13, Issue 7, 2009, Pages 820-828

Interferon-gamma release assays in immigrant contacts and effect of remote exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Article)

Kik S.V. , Franken W.P.J. , Arend S.M. , Mensen M. , Cobelens F.G.J. , Kamphorst M. , Van Dissel J.T. , Borgdorff M.W. , Verver S.
  • a KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, PO Box 146, 2501 CC The Hague, Netherlands, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
  • c Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
  • d Department of Tuberculosis Control, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, PO Box 146, 2501 CC The Hague, Netherlands, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Department of Tuberculosis Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • g Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
  • h KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, PO Box 146, 2501 CC The Hague, Netherlands, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • i KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, PO Box 146, 2501 CC The Hague, Netherlands, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between remote exposure to tuberculosis (TB) and results of the tuberculin skin test (TST), and two interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) - QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) and T-SPOT.TB® - in immigrant contacts of sputum smear-positive TB patients. METHODS: Immigrants aged ≥16 years in close contact with smear-positive TB patients were included. QFT-GIT and T-SPOT.TB were performed if the TST induration size was ≥5 mm. Associations between test results and origin from an endemic country were assessed. RESULTS: Of 433 close contacts, 322 (74%) had TST ≥5 mm, of whom, 282 (88%) had valid test results for all assays. Positive QFT-GIT results were obtained for 152/282 (54%) and positive T-SPOT.TB for 168/282 (60%). After adjustment for age, sex and recent contact, positive IGRA results and TST results ≥10 mm were found to be more frequent among immigrants who originated from Africa, in particular sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSION: WhenIGRAs are used to determine latent TB infection in foreign-born individuals, positive findings not only relate to recent TB infection, but also reflect prior TB exposure in the country of origin. This late reactivity will limit their usefulness in contact investigations among immigrants originating from endemic areas. © 2009 The Union.

Author Keywords

Exposure immigrants IGRA Contact investigation Tuberculin skin test

Index Keywords

immigrant skin induration sputum smear mass screening human middle aged interferon gamma release assay controlled study Mycobacterium tuberculosis priority journal Humans Sputum Adolescent male Chi-Square Distribution Tuberculosis, Pulmonary female tuberculosis environmental exposure Africa Contact Tracing Article tuberculin test adult human experiment endemic disease Transients and Migrants Interferon-gamma immunoassay
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67651202879&partnerID=40&md5=d0744a5b75941c07f296c9d36e7e6680
ISSN: 10273719
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English