Characteristics Associated with Negative Interferon-γ Release Assay Results in Culture-Confirmed Tuberculosis Patients, Texas, USA, 2013–2015
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are the preferred diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) infection in at-risk populations in developed countries. However, IGRAs have high false-negative rates in patients with TB disease. Population-based studies assessing the factors associated with negative IGRA...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Emerging Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/24/3/17-1633_article |
| Summary: | Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are the preferred diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) infection in at-risk populations in developed countries. However, IGRAs have high false-negative rates in patients with TB disease. Population-based studies assessing the factors associated with negative IGRA results in TB patients have not been performed. Using statewide TB surveillance data of culture-confirmed TB patients in Texas, USA, during 2013–2015, we describe the patient characteristics and treatment outcomes associated with false-negative IGRA results. Among 2,854 TB patients, 1,527 (53.5%) had an IGRA result; 97.4% (1,487/1,527) of those had a positive (87.7%) or negative (12.3%) result. Older age, HIV co-infection, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, and being tested with T-SPOT.TB were associated with negative IGRA results. TB patients with negative IGRA results had a higher mortality, potentially due to delayed treatment. Healthcare providers should consider these risk factors when making decisions for patients with suspected TB and negative IGRA results and potentially provide treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 1080-6040 1080-6059 |