- Pernille Ravn: Infektionsmedicinsk Enhed, Medicinsk Afdeling O 107, Herlev Hospital, DK-2730 Herlev. pravn@dadlnet.dk
The performance of two commercially-available Interferon Gamma Release Assays, QuantiFERON-TB-Gold and T-SPOT-TB, is reviewed. The tests can indirectly detect M. tuberculosis infection based on T-cell recognition of specific proteins which are not present in the BCG vaccine M. avium, or most other environmental mycobacteria.The sensitivity (76-88%) of the IGRAs is not optimal for a diagnostic test for active tuberculosis. However, the specificity is high (92-97%), and the IGRAs may play an important role in the investigation for active tuberculosis and screening for latent tuberculosis infection in BCG vaccinated populations and immunosuppressed patients.