Quantiferon-TB testing gaining validation in children

Article Outline

• Copyright

Problems with tuberculin skin test as the main diagnostic test for the important diagnosis of tuberculosis in children have been appreciated for decades. The quantiferon-TB test is an in-vitro immunologic assay that measures interferon-gamma released from T-lymphocytes sensitized with M. tuberculosis antigen. Although gaining validation for use in adults with tuberculosis, experience to date comparing Mantoux with the quantiferon test in children with confirmed M. tuberculosis infection has been lacking. In a primary school outbreak of tuberculosis with a high incidence of clinical diseases, Molicotti et al provide data on performance of the quantiferon-TB test that support its usefulness both in ruling in and ruling out M. tuberculosis infection in children.