[HTML][HTML] Characteristics associated with negative interferon-γ release assay results in culture-confirmed tuberculosis patients, Texas, USA, 2013–2015

DT Nguyen, LD Teeter, J Graves… - Emerging infectious …, 2018 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Emerging infectious diseases, 2018ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are the preferred diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB)
infection in at-risk populations in developed countries. However, IGRAs have high false-
negative rates in patients with TB disease. Population-based studies assessing the factors
associated with negative IGRA results in TB patients have not been performed. Using
statewide TB surveillance data of culture-confirmed TB patients in Texas, USA, during 2013–
2015, we describe the patient characteristics and treatment outcomes associated with false …
Abstract
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are the preferred diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) infection in at-risk populations in developed countries. However, IGRAs have high false-negative rates in patients with TB disease. Population-based studies assessing the factors associated with negative IGRA results in TB patients have not been performed. Using statewide TB surveillance data of culture-confirmed TB patients in Texas, USA, during 2013–2015, we describe the patient characteristics and treatment outcomes associated with false-negative IGRA results. Among 2,854 TB patients, 1,527 (53.5%) had an IGRA result; 97.4%(1,487/1,527) of those had a positive (87.7%) or negative (12.3%) result. Older age, HIV co-infection, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, and being tested with T-SPOT. TB were associated with negative IGRA results. TB patients with negative IGRA results had a higher mortality, potentially due to delayed treatment. Healthcare providers should consider these risk factors when making decisions for patients with suspected TB and negative IGRA results and potentially provide treatment.
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