Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection among HIV-infected clients in Far North Queensland: use of an interferon-gamma release assay

Katrina Lyne A C , Sandra Downing B and Darren Russell B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia.

B Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: katrina.lyne@gmail.com

Sexual Health 10(4) 389-390 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH12167
Submitted: 8 October 2012  Accepted: 21 February 2013   Published: 17 May 2013

Abstract

Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a significant risk for those infected with HIV. We examined the use of an interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis among HIV-infected clients attending two sexual health services in Far North Queensland. Of 240 clients tested, 19 returned a positive result (7.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.5–11.3%) and three were indeterminate (1.3%, 95% CI: –0.2%–2.7%). Low CD4 count was found to be significantly associated with an indeterminate test result (P = 0.004). However, we found no significant association between test results and client demographics, self-reported prior tuberculosis infection, Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine status or selected tuberculosis risk factors (P-values = 0.2–0.9).

Additional keywords: diagnosis, interferon-gamma release tests, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.


References

[1]  World Health Organisation (WHO). Tuberculosis. Geneva: WHO; 2012. Available online at: http://www.who.int/topics/tuberculosis/en/ [verified May 2012].

[2]  Cattamanchi A, Smith R, Steingart K, Metcalfe J, Date A, Coleman C, et al Interferon-gamma release assays for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2011; 56 230–8.
Interferon-gamma release assays for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhvFWgs7s%3D&md5=f99174c65b46c92b1dde47b40e262218CAS | 21239993PubMed |

[3]  Akolo C, Adetifa I, Shepperd S, Volmink J. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV infected persons. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; CD000171
Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV infected persons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20091503PubMed |

[4]  Schluger NW, Burzynski J. Recent advances in testing for latent TB. Chest 2010; 138 1456–63.
Recent advances in testing for latent TB.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXks1aisg%3D%3D&md5=c27c534ba4c8e9dcafc1d5b9f497b366CAS | 21138881PubMed |

[5]  Nyendak MR, Lewinsohn D, Lewinsohn D. New diagnostic methods for tuberculosis. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2009; 22 174–82.
New diagnostic methods for tuberculosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19283913PubMed |

[6]  Ravn P, Hoffmann M. The use of interferon-gamma release assays in HIV-positive individuals. Eur Infect Dis 2010; 4 23–9.

[7]  Diel R, Goletti D, Ferrara G, Bothamley G, Cirillo D, Kampmann B, et al Interferon-γ release assays for the diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir J 2011; 37 88–99.
Interferon-γ release assays for the diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXjvVWhtr4%3D&md5=ee790233c228e4826682a1c737453a9eCAS | 21030451PubMed |

[8]  Lawn SD, Zumla A. Tuberculosis. Lancet 2011; 378 57–72.
Tuberculosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21420161PubMed |

[9]  Rangaka MX, Wilkinson K, Glynn J, Ling D, Menzies D, Mwansa-Kambafwile J, et al Predictive value of interferon-γ release assays for incident active tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 2012; 12 45–55.
Predictive value of interferon-γ release assays for incident active tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVClsw%3D%3D&md5=bcbbbf82d1fc749c1f6f822132963b89CAS | 21846592PubMed |

[10]  World Health Organisation (WHO). Global tuberculosis report 2012. Geneva: WHO; 2012. Available online at: http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/index.html [verified November 2012].