The Use of Interferon-γ Release Assays for Tuberculosis Screening in International Travelers
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Ludwig Apers & Cédric Yansouni & Patrick Soentjens & Marc Vekemans & Emmanuel Bottieau
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2011
Description
Tuberculosis (TB) infection is relatively frequent among travellers to high incidence-countries, especially in long-term travellers and those involved in health work. It is important to diagnose recent infection, both for the affected individual and to prevent further transmission. Based on published literature, we assess the value of interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) as a complement to or replacement of the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the diagnosis of latent TB infection in the setting of a travel clinic. A comparison of available IGRAs with the TST in terms of operating characteristics and practical considerations is presented. We conclude that IGRAs offer some practical advantages that may benefit certain well-defined patient groups of a travel clinic, but that current evidence is incomplete.We identify research questions to better define the role of IGRAs in these populations.
Curr Infect Dis Rep (2011) 13:229–235 DOI 10.1007/s11908-011-0173-0 Published online: 11 February 2011
