Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the role of previous non-tuberculous mycobacteria sensitisation in children as a factor of discordant results between tuberculin skin test (TST) and an in vitro T-cell based assay (T-SPOT.TB; Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK). Weenrolled 21 non-bacille Calmette-Guérin-vaccinated paediatric patients for suspicious of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). These patients yielded a positive TST and a negative T-SPOT.TB. Cellswere stimulated with Mycobacterium aviumsensitin (having cross-reaction with Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum) and the presence of reactive T-cells was determined by an ex vivo ELISPOT. From the 21 patients, in 10 cases (47.6%), we obtained a positive ELISPOT result after stimulation with M. avium sensitin, in six (28.6%) cases, the result was negative and in the remaining five (23.8%) cases, the result was indeterminate. In conclusion, previous non-tuberculous mycobacteria sensitisation induces false-positive results in the TST for diagnosing LTBI and the use of γ-interferon tests could avoid unnecessary chemoprophylaxis treatment among a child population. Copyright©ERS Journals Ltd 2010.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 338-342 |
Journal | European Respiratory Journal |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2010 |
Keywords
- Childhood
- ELISPOT
- Interferon-γ release assays
- Latent tuberculosis infection
- Mycobacterium avium sensitin
- Non-tuberculous mycobacteria