We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Blood Test for TB Could Eliminate Unnecessary Treatment

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jun 2014
Print article
T-SPOT TB
Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for the detection of tuberculosis. (Photo courtesy of OXFORD IMMUNOTEC - A Perkin Elmer Company)
A new screening process for tuberculosis (TB) infections in Canadian prisons could mean that more than 50% of those screened will not undergo unnecessary treatment due to false positives.

A test for TB using interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) will detect a preexisting TB infection, or latent TB, that might not present itself for many years, or until the body becomes weakened by another source.

A study group led by infectious disease experts from Queen’s University (Kingston, ON, Canada), tested inmates for TB at a Canadian intake institution before moving on to different corrections facilities. The scientists used both the tuberculosis skin test (TST) for TB which has been used for over 100 years but comes with two main limitations, and the IGRA. The TST requires two visits to determine the results: one to perform the test and then another visit a couple of days later to read the results and depending on the patient's exposure to other mycobacteria or the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine, accordingly the TST test can give many false positives.

The IGRA tests cannot prove that latent TB infections will progress into active TB until the patient begins to show symptoms. Better tools to predict who will go on to develop active and potentially infectious TB are being actively pursued. The investigators found that 96 inmates tested positive for TB via the TST test, but only 31 of these inmates were confirmed as true latent TB infection when using the IGRA test.

Wendy L.Wobeser, MD, the study’s lead author said, “It is fairly uncommon that latent TB will reactivate, with only about a 10% chance. That said, given the crowding in corrections facilities, the mass exposure of inmates to TB could be disastrous. It is such a slow disease progression that it is hard for us to say with certainty who will actually go on to develop TB. I hope that this test will eventually be used in corrections and is able to reduce people who might otherwise be treated unnecessarily for latent TB.”

Ilan Schwartz, MD, a coauthor of the study said, “What I found surprising was just how much discordance there was between the TST and IGRA tests. Historically, all of those who tested TB-positive by the TST test would have been subjected to 12 months of drug treatments that can have considerable side effects.”

Related Links:

Queen’s University


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get complete access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.