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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Interferon-γ Release Assay Effective in Patients with COPD Complicated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Jan 2025
Print article
Image: The diagnostic sensitivity of the interferon-γ release assay was higher in patients with COPD complicated with active pulmonary tuberculosis (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)
Image: The diagnostic sensitivity of the interferon-γ release assay was higher in patients with COPD complicated with active pulmonary tuberculosis (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition and a major chronic lung disease that significantly impacts public health and work capacity. Long-term respiratory infections in COPD patients can weaken local respiratory immunity. Due to their immunosuppressive status and frequent corticosteroid use, COPD patients are more vulnerable to developing pulmonary tuberculosis. Conventional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis have shown decreased sensitivity in COPD patients, highlighting the need for more effective diagnostic tests that are easily accessible, well-accepted, simple to administer, and, most importantly, more sensitive in detecting tuberculosis. In a new study, an interferon-γ release assay has demonstrated higher diagnostic sensitivity in COPD patients with pulmonary tuberculosis than other diagnostic methods.

The nested case-control study, conducted between January 2019 and June 2021 at the Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (Hebei, China), involved 123 COPD patients. Thirty-one patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD formed the observation group (Group A), 31 with nonactive pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD made up the COPD control group (Group B), and 31 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis without COPD were the non-COPD control group (Group C). Diagnostic tests including interferon-γ release assay, purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) test, anti-tuberculosis antibody test, sputum smear microscopy, and PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were administered to each group. The researchers compared the positive detection rates from all five diagnostic methods.

The results, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, showed that the interferon-γ release assay had higher diagnostic sensitivity for active pulmonary tuberculosis in COPD patients than sputum smear microscopy, PCR, or serum anti-tuberculosis antibody tests. COPD complications did not impact the T-SPOT test results, and higher T-SPOT values indicated a greater likelihood of active tuberculosis. Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that T-SPOT-positive patients, who are clinically considered to have inactive tuberculosis, undergo regular follow-ups to monitor any changes in their condition.

Gold Member
Pharmacogenetics Panel
VeriDose Core Panel v2.0
Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
New
MRSA/SA Detection Kit
MRSA/SA ELITe MGB Kit
New
Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400

Print article

Channels

Immunology

view channel

3D Bioprinted Gastric Cancer Model Uses Patient-Derived Tissue Fragments to Predict Drug Response

Tumor heterogeneity presents a major obstacle in the development and treatment of cancer therapies, as patients' responses to the same drug can differ, and the timing of treatment significantly influences prognosis. Consequently, technologies that predict the effectiveness of anticancer treatments are essential in minimizing... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OmicsFootPrint AI tool could open doors to new discoveries (Photo courtesy of Mayo Clinic)

Revolutionary AI Tool Transforms Disease Visualization

Genes serve as the body's blueprint, while proteins execute the instructions within those blueprints to maintain cell function. Occasionally, alterations in these instructions—known as mutations—can interfere... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.