Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle
Published on: July 11, 2015
Host factors associated to false negative and indeterminate results in an interferon-γ release assay in patients with
J A Santos1, R Duarte2, C Nunes3
1NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal; National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal.
Introduction:
Information on host factors that contribute to false negative and indeterminate results in interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) are critical to improve the usefulness of these tests in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) epidemics. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the sensitivity of an IGRA and the tuberculin skin test (TST), independently and as a combined approach, in patients with TB and to identify risk factors associated with false negative and indeterminate IGRA results.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study of all active TB notifications with an IGRA result (n = 1230), from 2008 to 2015. 68.0 % (n = 727) of these patients had a TST result interpreted using a 5 mm (TST-5 mm) and 10 mm (TST-10 mm) cutoff. Sensitivity was determined for both tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and clinical factors to the risk of false negative or indeterminate IGRA results.
Results:
IGRA, TST-5 mm and TST-10 mm were positive in 82.4 %, 84.5 % and 78.4 % of the patients that performed both tests. When used combined, IGRA/TST-5 mm sensitivity was 91.7 % and IGRA/TST-10 mm sensitivity was 90.6 %. Age≥65 years, alcohol abuse and pulmonary TB were predictive factors for indeterminate results. Inflammatory diseases and pulmonary TB were statistically associated with false negative IGRA results.
Conclusion:
Inflammatory diseases and pulmonary TB were identified as factors for false negative IGRA results. Our results indicate that the use of both tests in a combined approach, especially in specific risk groups of the population, could increase the sensitivity of the screening process and accelerate the achievement of the WHO End TB Strategy goals.
More Related Videos
09:54Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoprobes for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Detection
Published on: February 16, 2020
10:04Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...