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  • Title: Prospective evaluation of latent tuberculosis with interferon-gamma release assays in drug and alcohol abusers.
    Author: Rivas I, Latorre I, Sanvisens A, Domínguez J, Tor J, Prat C, Rey-Joly C, Muga R.
    Journal: Epidemiol Infect; 2009 Sep; 137(9):1342-7. PubMed ID: 19243652.
    Abstract:
    In vitro tests have been developed for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection. The objective was to analyse latent TB infection in drug and alcohol abusers through two interferon-gamma techniques. One hundred and thirty-nine patients were admitted between February 2006 and May 2007. Mean age was 39.8 years [31% HIV positive]. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) interferon-gamma assays were positive in 34% of patients with an agreement of 83% (kappa=0.63). Tuberculin skin test (TST) was positive in 29% of patients and the agreement of TST with EIA and ELISPOT interferon-gamma assays was 85% (kappa=0.62) and 83% (kappa=0.57), respectively. Almost 50% of patients with history of TB had a positive in vitro test. In conclusion, we observed a high prevalence of latent TB and good agreement between the new in vitro tests that otherwise may continue to be positive long after developing TB disease.
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