IGRA-positive patients and interferon-gamma/interleukin-2 signatures: can the Fluorospot assay provide further information?

Infection. 2014 Jun;42(3):539-43. doi: 10.1007/s15010-014-0588-2. Epub 2014 Jan 30.

Abstract

A goal of testing for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection is to identify individuals who are at increased risk for the development of active TB. No laboratory tool is currently available to distinguish between individuals in the process of progressing from latent TB infection towards active disease and those who are not. Determination of the interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 T cell signature might provide an additional and rapid tool to evaluate treatment necessity and clinical management of a patient. Here, we present three cases of interferon-gamma release assay-positive patients with differing interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 signatures when analyzed by the Fluorospot assay.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting / methods*
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis*
  • Interferon-gamma Release Tests / methods*
  • Interleukin-2 / analysis*
  • Latent Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • IFNG protein, human
  • IL2 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interferon-gamma