Borderline-Positive Quantiferon in Children

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2019 Nov;38(11):e307-e309. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002416.

Abstract

We systematically retested children with borderline-positive quantiferon (0.35-0.99 IU/mL) during the period 2015-2019. Among 647 tests, 27 (4%) were positive (>0.35 IU/mL). Borderline-positive quantiferon accounted for 10 of 27 (37%) positive tests. When retested, 9 of 10 (90%) were negative. Children younger than 5 years had negative tuberculin skin tests. Thus, we found high test variability in the borderline range and, in some children, high suspicion of false positive tests.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Denmark
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interferon-gamma / blood*
  • Interferon-gamma Release Tests / standards*
  • Interferon-gamma Release Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Latent Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tuberculin Test

Substances

  • Interferon-gamma