Abstract
Detecting and managing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection in a health-science center population is a clinical dilemma. Tuberculin skin tests are still the preferred method for detecting present or past infection of TB. The authors discuss the performance of whole blood interferon gamma release assay test commercially known as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test (QFT-G) as an additional tool for a TB surveillance program for the students and employees at an academic medical center. QFT-G was successfully implemented as a confirmatory test for screening of TB infection.
MeSH terms
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Academic Medical Centers*
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Adult
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Antigens, Bacterial / blood*
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Humans
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Immunoassay / methods*
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Interferon-gamma / blood*
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Mass Screening / methods*
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Middle Aged
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
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Occupational Exposure / analysis
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Population Surveillance / methods
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Retrospective Studies
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Student Health Services / methods*
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Student Health Services / organization & administration
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Students, Health Occupations
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Tennessee
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Tuberculin Test / methods*
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Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
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Tuberculosis / prevention & control
Substances
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Antigens, Bacterial
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Interferon-gamma