Interferon Gamma Release Assay-Guided Latent Tuberculosis Prophylaxis in Israel.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Determining the accuracy of interferon gamma-release assays (IGRAs) is difficult due to the lack of a gold standard test for diagnosing latent tuberculosis (LTB).

OBJECTIVES:

To analyze the guidelines used for interpreting IGRAs in determining prophylactic treatment management for latent tuberculosis (LTB) in Israel.

METHODS:

We analyzed the retrospective data of 367 subjects who were referred to our laboratory during the period 2007-2011 for QuantiFERON Test-Gold In Tube (QFT-GIT) tests because of suspected LTB. Demographics and clinical data were retrieved from a questionnaire at enrollment, and 166/367 (45%) were further interviewed by phone in order to complete follow-up information on prophylactic TB treatment.

RESULTS:

The majority of subjects (116/166, 69.9%, P (P < 0.0001) were spared prophylactic treatment subsequent to QFT-GIT testing. Subjects with negative QFT-GIT and positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results who were BCG-vaccinated had the lowest treatment rates (6/68, 8.8%, P < 0.0001). Most BCG-vaccinated subjects with positive TST and negative QFT-GIT test results received treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) (17/19, 89.5%, P = 0.004). We found more negative QFT-GIT test results in subjects who were receiving anti-TNFα or steroid and other immunosuppressive treatment prior to testing (11/11, 100%, P = 0.029; 22/26, 84.6%, P = 0.06; 15/17, 88%, P = 0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Deciding on LTB prophylactic treatment in Israel is highly influenced by QFT-GIT test results. QFT-GIT findings contribute to clinical decisions, but their interpretation must also consider the patient's medical history and clinical characteristics.

• Authors: Einat Fireman-Klein, Avraham Man, Yehuda Schwartz, Elizabeth Fireman
• Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (Isr Med Assoc J) Vol. 17 Issue 7 Pg. 405-9 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1565-1088 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 26357713 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• BCG Vaccine
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• BCG Vaccine (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Infant
• Interferon-gamma Release Tests (methods)
• Israel
• Latent Tuberculosis (diagnosis, prevention & control)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Retrospective Studies
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Young Adult