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IGRAs-the gateway to T cell based TB diagnosis

Whitworth, H. S., Rees-Roberts (née Scott), M., Connell, D.W., Donges, B., Lalvani, A. (2013) IGRAs-the gateway to T cell based TB diagnosis. Methods, 61 (1). pp. 52-62. ISSN 1046-2023. (doi:10.1016/j.ymeth.2012.12.012) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:62946)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2012.12.012

Abstract

Development of Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) and implementation of their use in clinical practice almost 10 years ago has revolutionised diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI). The commercially available IGRAs, TSPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotech, Oxford, UK) and QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube (Cellestis, Victoria, Australia), allow detection of TB infection with greater specificity and sensitivity than the tuberculin skin test (TST) and are now recommended for diagnosis of LTBI. The TSPOT.TB assay is a simplified enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) that enumerates TB-specific T lymphocytes (T cells) secreting interferon-gamma (IFN?). In comparison, the QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube assay constitutes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify IFN? released into blood plasma after incubation of whole blood with TB antigens. Release of IFN?, as a result of antigen stimulation of TB-specific T cells within blood, is indicative of TB infection. Although IGRAs have significant advantages over the TST in diagnosis of latent TB, they have significant limitations. Discovery of new antigens and advances in methodology for measuring cellular immunity have recently paved the way for novel tests that overcome these limitations. By establishing for the first time technological platforms for T cell based diagnosis in diagnostic service laboratories, IGRAs provide a bridgehead to clinical application of T cell based diagnosis in routine practice

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2012.12.012
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Funders: [UNSPECIFIED] Department of Health
[UNSPECIFIED] Medical Research Council
Depositing User: Melanie Rees-Roberts
Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2017 11:21 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:24 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/62946 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Rees-Roberts (née Scott), M..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7121-0414
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