Research from E. Nsutebu and co-authors yields new data on tuberculosis in children
December 15th, 2008
2008 DEC 15 -- Fresh data on tuberculosis are presented in the report 'Use of QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in the investigation of unexplained positive tuberculin skin tests.' In this recently published article, scientists in Leeds, the United Kingdom conducted a study "To investigate the use of new gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma)-based blood tests to determine whether or not a higher-than-expected proportion of positive tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) were due to tuberculosis infection. When an unexpectedly high proportion of children in a high school in Leeds were found to have positive TSTs, a cohort study was undertaken based on blood tests and long-term follow-up of the affected children."
"IFN-gamma-based blood tests are reported to be more specific for tuberculosis infection than TSTs. One hundred and ninety children, aged 13-14 years, were screened and 28 (15%) had a positive TST. None had any known risk factor for tuberculosis infection. Parental consent was requested for testing with QuantiFERON-TB Gold (Cellestis, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia). Active cases of tuberculosis with any possible connection to the school or the children were sought through the routine diagnosis and reporting service over the next 36 months. Consent was given for 26 children with Heaf Grade 2 results to be tested using QuantiFERON-TB Gold, and blood was obtained from 24 of these children. All tested negative. None of these children developed active tuberculosis, and no cases of active tuberculosis were identified with any connection to the children or the school. QuantiFERON-TB Gold testing appeared to identify false-positive TSTs correctly in this group," wrote E. Nsutebu and colleagues, .
The researchers concluded: "This supports the recent recommendation to use IFN-gamma-based blood tests in people with positive TSTs to confirm or refute the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection."
Nsutebu and colleagues published their study in Public Health (Use of QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in the investigation of unexplained positive tuberculin skin tests. Public Health, 2008;122(11):1284-7).
For more information, contact E. Nsutebu, West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, HPA Laboratory, Bridle Path, Leeds LS15 7TR, UK.
Publisher contact information for the journal Public Health is: W B Saunders Co. Ltd., 32 Jamestown Rd., London NW1 7BY, England.
Keywords: United Kingdom, Leeds, Clinical Trial Research, Cutaneous Tuberculosis, Interferon, Mycobacteria, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Public Health.
This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
