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Mobed A, Darvishi M, Kohansal F, Dehfooli FM, Alipourfard I, Tahavvori A, Ghazi F. Biosensors; nanomaterial-based methods in diagnosing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis 2024; 34:100412. [PMID: 38222862 PMCID: PMC10787265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2023.100412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) before the progression of pulmonary infection can be very effective in its early treatment. The Mtb grows so slowly that it takes about 6-8 weeks to be diagnosed even using sensitive cell culture methods. The main opponent in tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) epidemiology, like in all contagious diseases, is to pinpoint the source of infection and reveal its transmission and dispersion ways in the environment. It is crucial to be able to distinguish and monitor specific mycobacterium strains in order to do this. In food analysis, clinical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and bioprocess, biosensing technologies have been improved to manage and detect Mtb. Biosensors are progressively being considered pioneering tools for point-of-care diagnostics in Mtb discoveries. In this review, we present an epitome of recent developments of biosensing technologies for M. tuberculosis detection, which are categorized on the basis of types of electrochemical, Fluorescent, Photo-thermal, Lateral Flow, Magneto-resistive, Laser, Plasmonic, and Optic biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mobed
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Mohammad Darvishi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center (IDTMRC), Department of Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Kohansal
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Iraj Alipourfard
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Tahavvori
- Internal Department, Medical Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Farhood Ghazi
- Internal Department, Medical Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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Li G, Feng Z, Song H, Wang Y, Zhu L, Li Y. Long non-coding RNA expression in PBMCs of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1257267. [PMID: 38156018 PMCID: PMC10753990 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is the primary cause of the chronic infectious illness tuberculosis (TB). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that cannot be translated into proteins and play a crucial role in regulating the immune system's innate and adaptive responses. It has been demonstrated that the dysregulation of lncRNA expression is associated with various human diseases. However, the mechanism underlying the involvement of so many lncRNAs in the immune response to TB infection remains unclear. The objective of our current study was to identify a number of significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TB patients and to select the most indicative lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for active pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods Microarray analysis was performed to determine the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in TB patients using a case-control model. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to investigate potential roles and pathways associated with the pathogenesis of TB infection, and to screen lncRNAs specifically linked to TB infection. Using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR), specific lncRNAs were identified in TB patients and latent infections. Results Our findings revealed that various signaling pathways were differentially expressed in TB-infected individuals, suggesting a potential role for lncRNAs in the immunological responses driven by TB infection. This study provides crucial guidelines for future functional research. Upregulated lncRNAs were mainly enriched in Neutrophil extracellular trap formation and Chemokine signaling pathways, while downregulated lncRNAs were enriched in Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and Cushing syndrome in TB PBMCs. Furthermore, we found that lnc-XPNPEP1-5, lnc-CASKIN2-2, lnc-HSPA13-6, lnc-CLIC5-1, and LINC02502 were significantly downregulated in TB-infected patients, while LINC00528, lnc-SLC45A4-3, and LINC00926 were significantly upregulated in TB patients and latent infections. These eight lncRNAs, identified as novel biological marker candidates for diagnosing TB infection, were validated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR). Conclusion The abnormally expressed lncRNAs identified in this research may provide crucial information for understanding the pathophysiological characteristics of TB patients and the dysfunction of PBMCs. Our findings reveal potential targets for early TB diagnosis and therapy, as well as offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying TB infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Li
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhelong Feng
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Honghuan Song
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Limei Zhu
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Integrated Service and Management Office, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
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Li LS, Yang L, Zhuang L, Ye ZY, Zhao WG, Gong WP. From immunology to artificial intelligence: revolutionizing latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis with machine learning. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:58. [PMID: 38017571 PMCID: PMC10685516 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00490-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has become a major source of active tuberculosis (ATB). Although the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay can be used to diagnose LTBI, these methods can only differentiate infected individuals from healthy ones but cannot discriminate between LTBI and ATB. Thus, the diagnosis of LTBI faces many challenges, such as the lack of effective biomarkers from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) for distinguishing LTBI, the low diagnostic efficacy of biomarkers derived from the human host, and the absence of a gold standard to differentiate between LTBI and ATB. Sputum culture, as the gold standard for diagnosing tuberculosis, is time-consuming and cannot distinguish between ATB and LTBI. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of MTB and the immune mechanisms of the host in LTBI, including the innate and adaptive immune responses, multiple immune evasion mechanisms of MTB, and epigenetic regulation. Based on this knowledge, we summarize the current status and challenges in diagnosing LTBI and present the application of machine learning (ML) in LTBI diagnosis, as well as the advantages and limitations of ML in this context. Finally, we discuss the future development directions of ML applied to LTBI diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Sheng Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100091, China
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, Hebei, China
- Senior Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Li Zhuang
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Zhao-Yang Ye
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhao
- Senior Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100091, China.
| | - Wen-Ping Gong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100091, China.
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Ortiz-Brizuela E, Apriani L, Mukherjee T, Lachapelle-Chisholm S, Miedy M, Lan Z, Korobitsyn A, Ismail N, Menzies D. Assessing the Diagnostic Performance of New Commercial Interferon-γ Release Assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1989-1999. [PMID: 36688489 PMCID: PMC10249994 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We compared 6 new interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs; hereafter index tests: QFT-Plus, QFT-Plus CLIA, QIAreach, Wantai TB-IGRA, Standard E TB-Feron, and T-SPOT.TB/T-Cell Select) with World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed tests for tuberculosis infection (hereafter reference tests). METHODS Data sources (1 January 2007-18 August 2021) were Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and manufacturers' data. Cross-sectional and cohort studies comparing the diagnostic performance of index and reference tests were selected. The primary outcomes of interest were the pooled differences in sensitivity and specificity between index and reference tests. The certainty of evidence (CoE) was summarized using the GRADE approach. RESULTS Eighty-seven studies were included (44 evaluated the QFT-Plus, 4 QFT-Plus CLIA, 3 QIAreach, 26 TB-IGRA, 10 TB-Feron [1 assessing the QFT-Plus], and 1 T-SPOT.TB/T-Cell Select). Compared to the QFT-GIT, QFT Plus's sensitivity was 0.1 percentage points lower (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.8 to 2.6; CoE: moderate), and its specificity 0.9 percentage points lower (95% CI, -1.0 to -.9; CoE: moderate). Compared to QFT-GIT, TB-IGRA's sensitivity was 3.0 percentage points higher (95% CI, -.2 to 6.2; CoE: very low), and its specificity 2.6 percentage points lower (95% CI, -4.2 to -1.0; CoE: low). Agreement between the QFT-Plus CLIA and QIAreach with QFT-Plus was excellent (pooled κ statistics of 0.86 [95% CI, .78 to .94; CoE: low]; and 0.96 [95% CI, .92 to 1.00; CoE: low], respectively). The pooled κ statistic comparing the TB-Feron and the QFT-Plus or QFT-GIT was 0.85 (95% CI, .79 to .92; CoE: low). CONCLUSIONS The QFT-Plus and the TB-IGRA have very similar sensitivity and specificity as WHO-approved IGRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Ortiz-Brizuela
- McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lika Apriani
- Tuberculosis Working Group, Research Centre for Care and Control of Infectious Diseases, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Tania Mukherjee
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sophie Lachapelle-Chisholm
- McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michele Miedy
- McGill University Health Center, Department of Intensive Care Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zhiyi Lan
- McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexei Korobitsyn
- Global Tuberculosis Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nazir Ismail
- Global Tuberculosis Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dick Menzies
- McGill International Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Jonas DE, Riley SR, Lee LC, Coffey CP, Wang SH, Asher GN, Berry AM, Williams N, Balio C, Voisin CE, Kahwati LC. Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA 2023; 329:1495-1509. [PMID: 37129650 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.3954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Importance Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) can progress to active tuberculosis disease, causing morbidity and mortality. Objective To review the evidence on benefits and harms of screening for and treatment of LTBI in adults to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Data Sources PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and trial registries through December 3, 2021; references; experts; literature surveillance through January 20, 2023. Study Selection English-language studies of LTBI screening, LTBI treatment, or accuracy of the tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). Studies of LTBI screening and treatment for public health surveillance or disease management were excluded. Data Extraction and Synthesis Dual review of abstracts, full-text articles, and study quality; qualitative synthesis of findings; meta-analyses conducted when a sufficient number of similar studies were available. Main Outcomes and Measures Screening test accuracy; development of active tuberculosis disease, transmission, quality of life, mortality, and harms. Results A total of 113 publications were included (112 studies; N = 69 009). No studies directly evaluated the benefits and harms of screening. Pooled estimates for sensitivity of the TST were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.74-0.87) at the 5-mm induration threshold, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.87) at the 10-mm threshold, and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.46-0.74) at the 15-mm threshold. Pooled estimates for sensitivity of IGRA tests ranged from 0.81 (95% CI, 0.79-0.84) to 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.92). Pooled estimates for specificity of screening tests ranged from 0.95 to 0.99. For treatment of LTBI, a large (n = 27 830), good-quality randomized clinical trial found a relative risk (RR) for progression to active tuberculosis at 5 years of 0.35 (95% CI, 0.24-0.52) for 24 weeks of isoniazid compared with placebo (number needed to treat, 112) and an increase in hepatotoxicity (RR, 4.59 [95% CI, 2.03-10.39]; number needed to harm, 279). A previously published meta-analysis reported that multiple regimens were efficacious compared with placebo or no treatment. Meta-analysis found greater risk for hepatotoxicity with isoniazid than with rifampin (pooled RR, 4.22 [95% CI, 2.21-8.06]; n = 7339). Conclusions and Relevance No studies directly evaluated the benefits and harms of screening for LTBI compared with no screening. TST and IGRAs were moderately sensitive and highly specific. Treatment of LTBI with recommended regimens reduced the risk of progression to active tuberculosis. Isoniazid was associated with higher rates of hepatotoxicity than placebo or rifampin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Jonas
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Sean R Riley
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Lindsey C Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Cory P Coffey
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Shu-Hua Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
- Global One Health Initiative, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - Gary N Asher
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Anne M Berry
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Niketa Williams
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Raleigh
| | - Casey Balio
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- Center for Rural Health Research, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
| | - Christiane E Voisin
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus
| | - Leila C Kahwati
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Research Triangle Park
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Yang J, Ko JH, Baek JY, Hong J, Ha S, Lee B, Huh K, Cho SY, Kang CI, Chung DR, Kim YJ, Kang ES, Peck KR. Effects of Short-Term Corticosteroid Use on Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of the First Dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:744206. [PMID: 34630425 PMCID: PMC8493039 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of corticosteroid use on the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (ChAd) vaccine were evaluated. Healthcare workers (HCWs) who took low-dose corticosteroid agents around the time of the first dose of ChAd (ChAdPd group) were recruited and the reactogenicity and immunogenicity were compared with those of ChAd (ChAd group) and BNT162b2 vaccination (BNT group) of HCWs without corticosteroid exposure. The immunogenicity was measured three weeks after vaccination using quantitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) antibody electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assay. A total of 67 HCWs comprising 24 ChAd, 29 BNT, and 14 ChAdPd was included. The median total corticosteroid dose of the ChAdPd group was 30 mg prednisolone equivalents (interquartile range (IQR) 20-71.3 mg). HCWs in the ChAdPd group experienced significantly milder reactogenicity (median total score 7.5, IQR 4.0-18.0) compared to those in the ChAd group (median 23.0, IQR 8.0-43.0, P=0.012) but similar to that in the BNT group (median 5.0, IQR 3.0-9.0, P=0.067). The S antibody concentration of the ChAdPd group (62.4 ± 70.0 U/mL) was higher than that of the ChAd group, though without statistical significance (3.45 ± 57.6 U/mL, P=0.192). The cellular immune response was most robust in the ChAdPd group, with significantly higher IFN-γ concentration (5.363 ± 4.276 IU/mL), compared to the ChAd (0.978 ± 1.181 IU/mL, P=0.002) and BNT (1.656 ± 1.925 IU/mL, P=0.009) groups. This finding suggest that short-term corticosteroid reduces reactogenicity of the first dose of ChAd without hindering immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyoung Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Ko
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Yang Baek
- Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinyeong Hong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soyoung Ha
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Beomki Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungmin Huh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Young Cho
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Cheol-In Kang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Doo Ryeon Chung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yae-Jean Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiency, Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Suk Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyong Ran Peck
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Comparative Evaluation of Standard E TB-Feron ELISA and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Assays in Patients with Tuberculosis and Healthcare Workers. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11091659. [PMID: 34574000 PMCID: PMC8469549 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11091659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised against performing the interferon-γ-release assay (IGRA) test for individuals with a low risk of TB, and also recommended retesting low-risk individuals with an initial positive IGRA result. However, to evaluate both sensitivity and specificity of available tests, we compared the performance of the Standard E TB-Feron (TBF) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assays in healthcare workers (HCWs) and tuberculosis (TB) patients. We also retrospectively investigated diabetes mellitus (DM) comorbidity among the enrolled TB patients. We prospectively collected samples from 177 HCWs and 48 TB patients. The TBF and QFT-Plus tests were performed and analyzed according to the manufacturers’ instructions. We also defined IGRA results between 0.2 and 0.7 IU/mL as ‘borderline’. The agreement rate between TBF and QFT-Plus was 92.0% (207/225) with a Cohen’s kappa value of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.68–0.87). While the majority (26/31, 83.9%) of borderline TBF results were in HCWs, the majority (14/19, 73.7%) of borderline QFT-Plus results were in TB patients. Discordant results were found in 18 samples, with TBF-positive/QFT-Plus-negative or indeterminate results in 11 HCWs and seven TB patients. After resampling from 10 HCWs (seven borderline-positive and three positive results, all <1.0), six reverted to negative. The prevalence of DM comorbidity was very high (35.4%). In summary, TBF showed substantial agreement with the QFT-Plus assay but had a higher positivity rate in both HCWs and TB patients. The negative conversion rate was high (60%) among HCWs whose initial (TB Ag-nil) result was <1.0.
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