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QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube

Applications and Keys to Accurate Performance



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QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Applications, cont.

Slide 12

November 2009

So given these recommendations, I think another common question is “Should interferon gamma release assays always be used in place of the tuberculin skin test?”  Unfortunately, I think the jury is still out on this, and more data is needed before we can definitively address this question. However, several national health organizations have issued potential algorithms for the use of assays such as QuantiFERON. In 2006, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued TB diagnostic guidelines that provided a recommendation on the use of interferon gamma release assays. This group recommended a 2 step approach, in which patients are first tested by the skin test, and if positive, an interferon gamma release assay is performed. If the positive skin test is not confirmed by the interferon gamma release assay, the positive skin test should be considered a false positive result.

Applications, cont.

 


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