The dynamics of QuantiFERON-TB gold in-tube conversion and reversion in a cohort of South African adolescents.

ABSTRACT: Interferon-? release assays are used to diagnose tuberculosis infection. In developed countries, high rates of reversion following conversion have been described.To assess QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT) conversion and reversion dynamics in a tuberculosis-endemic setting.Adolescents aged 12-18 years residing near Cape Town were recruited. Tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and QFTs were performed at baseline and after 2 years of follow up. Half of the participants had TST and QFT performed at additional time points. Participants were observed for incident tuberculosis disease for up to 5 years.Among 5,357 participants, 2,751 (51.4%) and 2,987 (55.8%) had positive QFT and TST results, respectively, at baseline. Annualized QFT and TST conversion risks were 14.0 and 13.0%, respectively, and reversion risks were 5.1 and 4.1%, respectively. Concordance was excellent for conversions (??=?0.74), but poor for reversions (??=?0.12). Among recent QFT converters, the magnitude of the QFT value was strongly inversely associated with risk of reversion (P?

SUBMITTER: Andrews JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4384770 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature