Indeterminate results of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay in nonimmunosuppressed children. 2011

Renata Zrinski Topić, and Ivka Zoričić-Letoja, and Ivan Pavić, and Slavica Dodig
Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Srebrnjak Children's Hospital, Zagreb, Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia. renata.zrinski-topic@zg.t-com.hr

OBJECTIVE QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) assay is a highly sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Data on the use of QFT-IT assay in children are scarce and contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the rate of indeterminate test results and to identify factors contributing to indeterminate results on routine use of QFT-IT assay in nonimmunosuppressed children. METHODS This retrospective study included 2173 children with ages ranging from 1 month to 18 years. Determination of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood was performed by commercial QFT-IT assay. RESULTS Indeterminate test results were recorded in ten (0.46%) subjects with ages ranging from 15 months to 15 years. The value of negative control was >8.0 kIU/L in one subject, whereas in the remaining nine subjects indeterminate results were consequential to positive control (<0.50 kIU/L). None of these subjects had any history data on congenital or acquired immunodeficiency disorders. Bacterial infection (with elevated body temperature and therapy with β-lactam antibiotics) was present in eight subjects with indeterminate results, one subject had exacerbation of asthma (therapy with inhalation corticosteroids), and one subject was clinically healthy. Repeat IFN-γ determination performed in seven subjects did not yield indeterminate results. CONCLUSIONS Study results showed the rate of indeterminate QFT-IT results in nonimmunosuppressed children of all age groups to be very low. QFT-IT should preferably be performed upon resolution of acute inflammation in order to avoid repeat testing of indeterminate results in a new blood sample and to reduce the cost of testing.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007121 Immunocompetence The ability of lymphoid cells to mount a humoral or cellular immune response when challenged by antigen. Competence, Immunologic,Immunologic Competence,Immunological Competence,Competence, Immunological
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007371 Interferon-gamma The major interferon produced by mitogenically or antigenically stimulated LYMPHOCYTES. It is structurally different from TYPE I INTERFERON and its major activity is immunoregulation. It has been implicated in the expression of CLASS II HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGENS in cells that do not normally produce them, leading to AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. Interferon Type II,Interferon, Immune,gamma-Interferon,Interferon, gamma,Type II Interferon,Immune Interferon,Interferon, Type II
D008297 Male Males
D011933 Reagent Kits, Diagnostic Commercially prepared reagent sets, with accessory devices, containing all of the major components and literature necessary to perform one or more designated diagnostic tests or procedures. They may be for laboratory or personal use. Diagnostic Reagent Kits,Diagnostic Reagents and Test Kits,Diagnostic Test Kits,In Vitro Diagnostic Device,In Vitro Diagnostic Devices,In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device,In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices,Kits, Diagnostic Reagent,Diagnostic Reagent Kit,Diagnostic Test Kit,Kit, Diagnostic Reagent,Kit, Diagnostic Test,Kits, Diagnostic Test,Reagent Kit, Diagnostic,Test Kit, Diagnostic,Test Kits, Diagnostic
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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