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THE IMPORTANCE OF QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD TEST IN DIAGNOSING
LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION
Chief Physician of the Tashkent Regional Center of Phthisiology and Pulmonology
Gaffarov B.Kh.
Akbarova M.S.
Scientific Supervisor: Professor
Sh.Sh. Massavirov
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16538447
Relevance
Latent tuberculosis infection remains one of the most persistent global public health
threats. It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that approximately 25 percent
of the world's population is infected with latent tuberculosis bacilli. Although individuals with
latent tuberculosis do not show clinical symptoms and are not contagious, around 5 to 10
percent of them will eventually develop active tuberculosis disease during their lifetime,
particularly when the immune system is weakened. Therefore, early detection and preventive
treatment of latent tuberculosis infection are critical components in breaking the transmission
cycle of tuberculosis. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold test has become an important diagnostic tool
for identifying latent tuberculosis infection, particularly in settings where Bacille Calmette-
Guérin (BCG) vaccination is common, which can reduce the specificity of the traditional
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). This interferon-gamma release assay provides greater accuracy,
faster results, and fewer false positives caused by previous BCG vaccination or exposure to non-
tuberculous mycobacteria.
Objective:
The objective of this research is to examine the diagnostic significance and
clinical utility of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in the detection of latent tuberculosis infection.
The study aims to evaluate its diagnostic performance, compare it with traditional diagnostic
methods such as the Tuberculin Skin Test, and assess its potential application in clinical and
epidemiological settings.
Materials and Methods:
This thesis is based on a comprehensive review of scientific
literature, including research articles, clinical guidelines, and systematic reviews published in
peer-reviewed journals. The analysis included studies involving immunocompromised
patients, healthcare workers, children, and populations from high tuberculosis prevalence
regions. Key performance indicators such as sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and cost-
effectiveness were evaluated. Clinical trial data from sources including the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and manufacturers'
validation studies were reviewed.
Results:
The review demonstrated that the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test consistently
shows higher specificity than the Tuberculin Skin Test, particularly in individuals previously
vaccinated with BCG. Its laboratory-based format eliminates reader bias and provides
objective, quantitative results within 24 hours. The test requires only one patient visit,
enhancing its feasibility for large-scale screening programs. Although slightly less sensitive in
severely immunocompromised individuals, it remains more reliable than TST in detecting
latent tuberculosis in these populations. Studies also indicate that the use of QuantiFERON-TB
Gold test in contact investigations, healthcare worker screenings, and pre-immigration
evaluations increases diagnostic efficiency and enables earlier initiation of preventive therapy.
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Conclusion:
The QuantiFERON-TB Gold test represents a significant advancement in the
accurate diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Its superior specificity, independence from
prior BCG vaccination, and operational simplicity make it a valuable asset in global tuberculosis
control efforts. Its use should be prioritized in high-risk and resource-limited settings where
traditional methods have limitations. Further research and global health policy support are
needed to improve accessibility, affordability, and integration of this test into national
tuberculosis prevention strategies.
References:
Используемая литература:
Foydalanilgan adabiyotlar:
1.
World Health Organization. (2023).
Global tuberculosis report 2023
. WHO.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240076729
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022).
Latent TB Infection: A Guide for
Primary Health Care Providers
.
3.
https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/ltbi/pdf/ltbiguide508.pdf
4.
Pai, M., Behr, M. A., Dowdy, D., Dheda, K., Divangahi, M., Boehme, C. C., ... & Raviglione, M.
(2022).
Tuberculosis.
Nature
Reviews
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5.
Getahun, H., Matteelli, A., Abubakar, I., Aziz, M. A., & Baddeley, A. (2021). Advancing latent
tuberculosis infection diagnosis and treatment: new tools and strategies.
The Lancet Infectious
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, 21(3), e52-e62.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30308-2
7.
Winje, B. A., Oftung, F., & Heldal, E. (2020). QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus performance in
immigrants: A population-based evaluation.
BMC Infectious Diseases
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