[Mantoux versus immunoferon-gamma test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in TB patient contacts].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the sensitivity, specificity and efficiency between Mantoux and Interferon-gamma techniques, using secondary sources.

DESIGN

Study of the published literature with a high evidence-based sources of scientific information.

DATA SOURCES: A bibliographic search in the Cochrane database and Trip-database.

STUDY SELECTION: We found three Clinical Practice Guidelines and nine articles, which included one Systematic Review, one Meta-analysis, one article on the sensitivity of the new techniques, three cost-efficiency studies, and three prospective studies on the role of interferon-gamma release in the diagnosis of TB.

RESULTS

The new techniques have a higher specificity than Mantoux for the diagnosis of LTBI in contacts vaccinated in childhood with BCG. The most cost-effective diagnostic strategy for LTBI was Mantoux screening and confirmation with QFT-G.

CONCLUSION

Resources should be coordinated, limiting its use in studies of contacts in immunocompetent adults vaccinated with BCG, with Mantoux>5mm or Tuberculin doubtful cases.