Clinical usefulness of T-SPOT.TB in the diagnosis tuberculosis in emergency patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of an interferon-gamma release assay T-SPOT. TB in tuberculosis of emergency patients. Methods: The emergency patients with suspected tuberculosis received T-SPOT. TB assay in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs). Results: T-SPOT. TB assay, PPD, anti-TB antibody test, M tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction, acid-fast bacilli stain and cultures for M tuberculosis were positive in 96.8%(31/32), 43.7%(14/32), 21.8%(7/32), 15.6%(5/32), 13.0%(3/23) and 4.3%(1/23), respectively, of patients with active tuberculosis. The sensitivity and specificity of the T-SPOT. TB were 96.8% and 98.3%. Conclusions: T-SPOT. TB assay is a rapid and high-sensitive tests for diagnosing tuberculosis in emergency patients.