Utility of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test in the Diagnosis of Latent TB in HIV-Positive Patients in a Medium-TB Burden Country.

BACKGROUND

The authors aimed to compare TST with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) for detecting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in HIV-infected patients in Iran as a TB-medium endemic country.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design,130 HIV-positive patients in HIV clinic of Tehran University were studied. Patients screened for LTBI with QFT and TST simultaneously. Concordance between 2 tests results and variables associated with tests discordance were assessed.

RESULTS

Positive results found in 24.6% for TST and 7.7% for QFT. Overall agreement between them was 73.85% (Kappa = 0.083). History of imprisonment was associated with more positive TST (P = 0.014) and QFT (P = 0.01). Patients with intravenous drug use (IDU) history had significant discordant results (0.018).

CONCLUSION

The authors recommend QFT for all negative cases of TST in HIV-positive patients especially who had history of IDU.