Utility of newer technologies for the diagnosis of active and latent tuberculosis
Since the 1800s the tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the only available test for latent tuberculosis (LTBI). Recently, interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) have been developed which are based upon the responses of peripheral blood effector cells to M.tb-specific antigens [early secretory antigenic target -6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein (CFP10)]. Discordance between the TST and IGRAs has been well documented but remains largely unexplained.
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